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Concept
Sentinel-3
Summary
Sentinel-3 is an Earth observation heavy satellite series developed by the European Space Agency as part of the Copernicus Programme. It currently (as of 2020) consists of 2 satellites: Sentinel-3A and Sentinel-3B. After initial commissioning, each satellite was handed over to EUMETSAT for the routine operations phase of the mission. Two recurrent satellites— Sentinel-3C and Sentinel-3D— will follow in approximately 2024 and 2028 respectively to ensure continuity of the Sentinel-3 mission.
Each Sentinel-3 satellite is designed to operate for seven years in a sun-synchronous low earth orbit and uses multiple sensors to measure topography, temperature, marine ecosystems, water quality, pollution, and other features for ocean forecasting and environmental and monitoring.
On 14 April 2008, the European Space Agency and Thales Alenia Space signed a contract to build the first GMES Sentinel-3 in its Cannes Mandelieu Space Center. Bruno Berruti led the team that was responsible for delivering the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellites from the drawing board into orbit. The satellite platform was delivered to France for final integration in 2013. The communications systems were completed by Thales Alenia Space España in early 2014.
Sentinel-3A was subsequently launched on 16 February 2016 on a Rokot vehicle from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, located near Arkhangelsk, Russia. This first launch was followed by the launch of Sentinel-3B on 25 April 2018, also aboard a Rokot. Each satellite is designed to operate for 7 years.
The Sentinel-3 mission's main objective is to measure sea-surface topography, land- and sea-surface temperature, and land- and ocean-surface colour with accuracy in support of ocean forecasting systems, and for environmental and climate monitoring. Sentinel-3 builds directly on the heritage pioneered by ERS-2 and Envisat satellites. Near-real time data will be provided for ocean forecasting, sea-ice charting, and maritime safety services on the state of the ocean surface, including surface temperature, marine ecosystems, water quality and pollution monitoring.
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