Russia\'s space agency says it has launched the trio of European Space Agency satellites in a mission to study the Earth\'s magnetic field. According to Ros-cosmos, the three Swarm satellites, blasted off into a near-polar orbit, from a launch-pad in north-west Russia. The satellites are controlled by the European Space Agency, the ESA. Over the next four years, they are expected to provide new details about the workings of Earth\'s magnetic field. The collected data will also help the ESA understand why the field appears to be weakening. The Earth\'s field works as a shield that protects the biosphere from charged particles and cosmic radiation. Show Less >>