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The Danish Ørsted satellite will carry three science experiments with the objectives of mapping the Earth's magnetic field and measuring the charged particle environment from a 7801an altitude sun-synchronous polar orbit. The science data generated during the planned one year mission will be used to improve geomagnetic models and study the auroral phenomena. Comprehensive and accurate mapping of the geomagnetic field every 5 to 10 years is of particular interest to geophysical studies. As such, the Ørsted science data return will complement the Magsat (1979-80) and Aristoteles (=2000) mission objectives. Two magnetometers will be mounted on an 8 meter long deployable boom together with a star imager for determining the absolute pointing vector for the CSC fluxgate magnetometer. Particle detectors are mounted in the main body of the satellite. Position determination will be provided by a multi-channel GPS receiver. The main body of the 50 kg satellite is shaped as a box with modular electronic boxes and includes sub-systems in areas of Power, Attitude Control, Communication, Command & Data Handling, Structure and Mechanisms. The Ørsted satellite is planned to be launched as an auxiliary payload on either Ariane 4 or a Delta launcher in early 1995.