EU successfully launches 5th satellite of Copernicus observation program

March 8, 2017

European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched Sentinel-2B satellite, fifth of its Sentinel Earth observation satellites part of its multi-billion-euro Copernicus observation program.
The optical imaging satellite was launched on board of a Vega rocket from ESA’s spaceport in French Guiana. It marks overall ninth successful launch of the Vega launcher since its debut in 2012.

Key Facts

The Sentinel-2B satellite is part of satellites system that monitors Earth. It will join its twin Sentinel-2A, which has been in orbit since 2015. The two satellites will orbit 786 km above Earth, on opposite sides of planet.
They will take high-resolution, colour and infrared images for a wide array of environmental initiatives, including crop forecasting and monitoring natural disasters.
Together, they will cover all of Earth’s land surfaces, large islands, inland and coastal waterways every five days, providing more up-to-date images and at higher resolution than have been available.
It will help track pollution of lakes and coastal waters, monitor land changes and produce disaster maps by providing information on floods, landslide and volcanic eruptions.

About Copernicus observation program

Copernicus observation program is the world’s largest single earth observation programme. It is directed by the European Commission in partnership with ESA.
It consists of constellation of seven Sentinel Earth observation satellites. The first satellite of the series was launched in April 2014.
It aims at achieving a global, continuous, autonomous, high quality, wide range Earth observation capacity by providing accurate, timely and easily accessible information.
It also aims at improving the management of the environment, understand and mitigate the effects of climate change, and ensure civil security.
Copernicus observation program is successor of previous European Envisat program which operated from 2002 to 2012.

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