EC: Successful launch of new Copernicus Satellite, Sentinel-2C, to continue delivering free data
A brand-new Copernicus Sentinel satellite has been successfully launched from the European Spaceport in French Guiana, onboard a Vega rocket operated by Arianespace, the European Commission (EC) said.
The launch took place at 10.50pm local time on September 4, 4.50am Eastern European Time.
The Commission said that it launched the additional Copernicus Sentinel satellite, called Sentinel-2C, to continue delivering cutting-edge Earth Observation data and services freely to public and private users.
Access to up-to-date optical data will allow public and private entities to improve their decision-making and better address pressing environmental challenges such as wildfires, floods, and droughts, the EC said.
Other domains that will benefit from the increased provision of data will be agriculture, maritime, forestry and more.
Sentinel-2C also reinforces Copernicus, the world’s most advanced Earth Observation system, by ensuring system redundancy and resilience – as an example, in case of unavailability of one of the other two satellites.
Copernicus Sentinel-2C will be calibrated in the coming months before it becomes fully operational and delivers its first images of our planet.
The launch is a result of cooperation with trusted partners, the European Space Agency and Arianespace, the EC said.
While the resolution and number of bands are identical to its predecessors and users will not see any difference in the products, there is something novel about Copernicus Sentinel-2C.
To determine the satellite’s location in space, its onboard satellite navigation system (GNSS) is relied on.
While the previous receiver was compatible only with GPS, the new one is also compatible with Galileo, the European Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).
By receiving signals from both constellations, the navigation experience will be more robust and slightly more accurate.
Another advantage is that the mission can now operate independently from GPS, in case it (GPS) becomes unavailable, increasing European autonomy and resilience in space, the EC said.
Please support The Sofia Globe’s independent journalism by becoming a subscriber to our page on Patreon:
Become a Patron!
