Sentinel-3

Sentinel-3
Manufacturer Thales Alenia Space[1]
Operator EUMETSAT
Applications Earth observation
Specifications
Spacecraft type Satellite
Bus Prima
Constellation 3
Design life 7 years[2]
Launch mass 1,250 kg (2,756 lb)[2]
Dimensions 3.710 × 2.202 × 2.207 m (12.2 × 7.2 × 7.2 ft)[2]
Power 2,100 W[2]
Production
Status Active
Built 2
On order 4[3]
Launched 1
Operational 1
First launch Sentinel-3A
16 February 2016
Last launch Sentinel-3D
≥ 2021[3]
← Sentinel-2 Sentinel-4 →

Sentinel-3 is an Earth observation satellite constellation developed by the European Space Agency as part of the Copernicus Programme.[4][5][6]

Copernicus, formerly Global Monitoring for Environment and Security, is the European programme to establish a European capacity for Earth observation designed to provide European policy makers and public authorities with accurate and timely information to better manage the environment, and to understand and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Overview

On 14 April 2008, the European Space Agency and Thales Alenia Space signed a €305 million contract to build the first GMES Sentinel-3 in its Cannes Mandelieu Space Center.[7] Satellite platform was delivered to France for final components assembly in 2013.[8] Communications systems were completed by Thales Alenia Space España in early 2014.[9]

The Sentinel-3 mission's main objective is to measure sea-surface topography, sea- and land-surface temperature and ocean- and land-surface colour with accuracy in support of ocean forecasting systems, and for environmental and climate monitoring.[4][6][5] 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.[6]

A pair of Sentinel-3 satellites will enable a short revisit time of less than two days for OLCI instrument and less than one day for SLSTR at the equator. The satellite orbit provides a 27-day repeat for the topography package, with a 4-day sub-cycle.[6]

Objectives

Mission objectives are:[4][6]

Mission characteristics

Instruments

Sentinel-3 will make use of multiple sensing instruments:[4][6]

Applications

The observations acquired by the mission will be used to in conjunction with other ocean-observing missions to contribute to the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) which aims to create a permanent system of ocean observation.[10]

Examples of images taken.

References

  1. ↑ "Copernicus: Sentinel-3". eoPortal. European Space Agency. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Sentinel-3 Data Sheet" (PDF). European Space Agency. August 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 Henry, Caleb (10 February 2016). "ESA Awards Sentinel 3C and D Satellite Contracts to Thales Alenia Space". Via Satellite. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Sentinel 3". European Space Agency. 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  5. 1 2 Donlon, C.; Berruti, B.; Buongiorno, A; Ferreira, M-H; Femenias, P.; et al. (2012). "The Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) Sentinel-3 Mission". Remote Sensing of the Environment. 120: 27–57. doi:10.1016/j.rse.2011.07.024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Copernicus: Sentinel-3". European Space Agency. 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  7. ↑ "Contract signed for ESA's Sentinel-3 earth observation satellite". European Space Agency. 14 April 2008. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  8. ↑ "Bringing Sentinel-3 together". European Space Agency. 6 March 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  9. ↑ "Thales Alenia Space España's contribution to Europe's Sentinel satellites". Thales Alenia Group. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  10. ↑ "Sentinel-3 stacks up". European Space Agency. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
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