ESA’s Sentinel-2C Satellite Launched to Enhance Earth’s Environmental Monitoring

ESA’s Sentinel-2C Satellite Launched to Enhance Earth’s Environmental Monitoring

(IN BRIEF) On September 5, 2024, the European Space Agency successfully launched the Sentinel-2C satellite from Kourou, French Guiana, aboard a Vega rocket. This marks the third satellite in the Sentinel-2 constellation, part of the EU’s Copernicus Earth observation program. Built by Airbus, Sentinel-2C will replace the aging Sentinel-2A and operate alongside Sentinel-2B to continue providing critical data for environmental monitoring. Sentinel-2C, positioned in low Earth orbit at 780 kilometers, features a high-resolution multispectral imager capable of capturing detailed images in 13 spectral bands. It will deliver comprehensive coverage of Earth’s surface every five days, supporting applications such as agriculture, forestry, disaster response, and environmental management. The satellite’s data transmission will be facilitated by the EDRS SpaceDataHighway and direct X-band links.

(PRESS RELEASE) TOULOUSE, 5-Sep-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully launched the latest addition to its Earth-observation fleet, the Sentinel-2C satellite, on a Vega rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. This significant milestone marks the deployment of the third Sentinel-2 satellite, further enhancing the EU Copernicus program’s capacity to monitor and analyze Earth’s surface.

The Sentinel-2C satellite, built by Airbus, will soon begin its mission in low Earth orbit at an altitude of 780 kilometers. This new satellite will replace Sentinel-2A, which is set to be retired, and will work alongside Sentinel-2B to continue providing critical data for a wide range of environmental applications.

“With the launch of Sentinel-2C, we are reinforcing our commitment to environmental monitoring and data continuity,” said a representative from the European Space Agency. “This satellite will significantly contribute to tracking changes in land use, managing natural resources, and responding to natural disasters.”

The Sentinel-2C satellite, weighing 1.1 tons, is equipped with a high-resolution multispectral imager that will capture detailed imagery across 13 spectral bands. The satellite’s broad coverage, with a swath width of 290 kilometers, allows for comprehensive monitoring of Earth’s surface every five days. Its advanced imaging capabilities support applications from agricultural monitoring to disaster response and environmental management.

Sentinel-2C’s data will be essential for various EU Copernicus services, including land management, forestry, and coastal monitoring. The satellite’s high-speed data processing and transmission capabilities, enabled by the EDRS SpaceDataHighway and direct X-band links, ensure timely and efficient delivery of vital information.

This launch, conducted by Arianespace, marks the final mission of the current Vega rocket before transitioning to the new Vega C version. The Sentinel-2C joins its predecessors in the Copernicus program, managed by the European Commission in collaboration with ESA, underscoring the EU’s ongoing commitment to space-based Earth observation and environmental stewardship.

Media Contacts:

Ralph Heinrich
Head of External Communications – Airbus Space Systems
Phone: +49 171 304 9751
ralph.heinrich@airbus.com

Jeremy Close
External Communications – Airbus Space Systems, UK
Phone: +44 776 653 6572
jeremy.close@airbus.com

Beatriz Lozano
External Communications – Airbus Defence and Space
Phone: +34 651 862 435
beatriz.lozano-mendez@airbus.com

Guilhem Boltz
External Communications – Airbus Space Systems, France
Phone: +33 6 34 78 14 08
guilhem.g.boltz@airbus.com

SOURCE: Airbus