ESA launches the seventh satellite within the Copernicus program
The Copernicus program has taken another step in its goal by environmental monitoring. The European Space Agency (ESA) has managed to launch the Copernicus Sentinel-3B, the second satellite placed in orbit after Sentinel-3A. The purpose of Sentinel-3A is to measure the global temperature of the planet, specifically of oceans and terrestrial surfaces. The launch of the second on Wednesday, April 25 will increase the coverage and data delivery for the European Union's environmental program.
Copernicus Sentinel-3B was put in orbit thanks to the Rockot vehicle from Russia and, approximately one hour after its takeoff, it began to emit its first signals and the center of operations of the ESA in Germany managed to take control of the satellite.
"This is the seventh launch of a Sentinel satellite in the last four years, it is a clear demonstration of what European cooperation can achieve and is another piece to operate the largest Earth observation program in the world, together with our partners. of the European Commission and Eumetsat, "said ESA Director General Jan Wörner.
The satellite measures the temperature, color and height of the sea surface to monitor changes in climate or high rates of marine pollution. On land, the data obtained within the Copernicus program give details about the health of vegetation, the height of rivers and lakes or the magnitude of forest fires.
In order to start operating with the aforementioned objectives, Copernicus Sentinel-3B will be controlled to verify that your system is functioning correctly. The launch has been an important achievement for ESA because it represents the first set of Sentinel missions that has been placed in orbit and "allows us to obtain a very detailed image of our planet on a daily basis and provides crucial information for policy makers," he said. Josef Aschbacher, the director of Earth Observation Programs of the ESA.
He also highlighted the importance of each citizen having up-to-date information on the environmental status.
The project of the European Space Agency to have a space radiography of the Earth has become the largest project in the world to measure the oceans and obtain information on other aspects such as vegetation. All Copernicus data are free and available to everyone, in addition to having an important use to identify the needs and challenges in the environmental field.
Very cool post!
Only recently have I become aware of EU's Copernicus project. It looks like a great opportunity for people to develop their own applications from the data obtained by the satellites. It has a huge potential