Sentinel-2C delivers gorgeous first photographs

The third Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite tv for pc was launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana aboard the ultimate Vega rocket on 5 September at 03:50 CEST (4 September 22:50 native time).

Like its siblings, Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B, the satellite tv for pc carries a multispectral imager that takes high-resolution photographs of Earth’s land, islands, and inland and coastal waters from its orbital altitude of 786 km.

With a big swath width of 290 km, it supplies steady imagery in 13 spectral bands with resolutions of 10 m, 20 m and 60 m.

Only a week after launch, Sentinel-2C acquired a wealthy preliminary set of photographs throughout the globe, which had been processed by the Copernicus Floor Phase.

One of many first photographs contains a clear view of Seville and environment in southern Spain. Seville, the capital of Andalusia, lies on the Guadalquivir River, one of many longest rivers in Spain. Seville holds the Presidency of the Ariane 2024 Group of Cities, and is residence to the headquarters of the Spanish Area Company.

Because of the satellite tv for pc’s spectacular 290-km-wide swath, one other picture presents a protracted strip that stretches from Camargue and Montpellier in southern France all the best way all the way down to south of Barcelona in Spain.

Sentinel-2C additionally noticed an space of south of Los Angeles in California. Right here, the picture, acquired on 12 September, has been processed utilizing the multispectral imager’s completely different bands to spotlight one of many wildfires that the state is at present battling.

The pure color picture on the left captures smoke billowing from the Airport Fireplace whereas the false color picture on the suitable has been processed utilizing the instrument’s shortwave infrared and near-infrared channels to point out the massive space that has been burned and the lively fires, which may be seen as brilliant orange spots.

On a extra serene word, one other picture options Lighthouse Reef, a part of the massive coral reef system off the coast of Belize in Central America. Right here the well-known Nice Blue Gap may be seen – a large marine sinkhole.

ESA’s Director of Earth Statement Programmes, Simonetta Cheli, stated, “These preliminary photographs stand as a highly effective testomony to the success of this extraordinary mission. Whereas Sentinel-2 will proceed to serve Copernicus with distinction for years to come back, we’re already trying forward as we develop the subsequent chapter with the Sentinel-2 Subsequent Era mission.”

Following the completion of Sentinel-2C’s launch and early orbit part, with the satellite tv for pc working as anticipated, the multispectral imager will spend the subsequent three months being calibrated as a part of the commissioning part.

Sentinel-2C commissioning actions are carried out in parallel with the routine operations of Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, Sentinel-3 for land, and Sentinel-5P.

Regardless of being early in its mission, the standard of those first photographs has already surpassed expectations.

Constantin Mavrocordatos, Sentinel-2 Undertaking Supervisor at ESA, remarked, “We’re thrilled to see the Copernicus Sentinel-2C already capturing such breathtaking photographs of Earth so quickly after its launch. That is just the start of the unbelievable insights and detailed information it’s going to present, serving to us higher perceive our planet.”

Francisco Reina, Sentinel-2 Payload Supervisor, added, “It’s actually exceptional how properly the multispectral instrument had been calibrated even earlier than the satellite tv for pc was launched, producing such gorgeous first photographs. This achievement is the results of an impressive collaboration between ESA and the Airbus groups all through the instrument’s improvement part.”

Copernicus Sentinel-2 information are used for a broad vary of purposes, together with agriculture, water high quality monitoring, pure catastrophe administration, together with wildfires, volcanic eruptions and floods.

As for all Copernicus missions operated by ESA, Sentinel-2 information are freely obtainable through the Copernicus Information Area Ecosystem. Information from the brand new ‘C’ satellite tv for pc will likely be accessible to customers as soon as the satellite tv for pc is absolutely commissioned.

The Sentinel-2 mission is a part of Copernicus – the Earth commentary element of the European Union’s Area programme.