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\t\t\t\t\t\t04\/09\/2026<\/span> Copernicus Sentinel-3 is one of the most diverse missions for measuring and monitoring Earth\u2019s climate systems. It captures a breadth of data about the environment and has contributed substantially to what we know about climate change over the past decade. The launch of the mission\u2019s third satellite heralds the continuity of this vital source of knowledge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Since the first Sentinel-3 satellite was launched a decade ago, the mission\u2019s data on oceans, land and atmosphere have been used in a variety of scientific contexts, from published academic research and analysis, to the reports that underpin global climate policies. The mission captures change in the oceans, on land, ice and atmospheric conditions, monitoring environmental change in marine ecosystems, land surface dynamics and atmospheric processes.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n What enables the mission to play such an integral role in our knowledge of climate change is its unique combination of sensors on board each satellite, according to ESA\u2019s Sentinel-3 Project Manager, Nic Mardle. \u201cUsing these primary instruments in combination brings incredibly valuable results. Added to that, the wide-angle of the instruments enables the mission to capture data quickly across entire regions. It is the only current mission within the Copernicus family with such a diverse capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n From monitoring ocean and ice surface characteristics, to land heat and changing land use such as forest cover, as well as monitoring greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, Sentinel-3 data give a broad overview of almost every system on Earth. The mission has contributed to datasets that inform the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, which have become synonymous with the latest scientific knowledge on Earth\u2019s climate.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n ESA\u2019s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, Simonetta Cheli, underlined the mission\u2019s crucial role in supporting the efforts of the IPCC, noting \u201cThe Sentinel-3 satellites deliver exceptionally accurate data on almost all aspects of our environment, making the mission highly relevant in the development and implementation of dedicated EU policies related to climate change. The addition of a third satellite ensures the mission\u2019s continuity, enabling us to invest in our resilience to climate change and continue tracking key indicators of climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n Data from the mission also provide inputs to the 55 climate indicators defined and agreed by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), known as Essential Climate Variables (ECVs). Jerome Bouffard, Sentinel-3 Mission Manager at ESA, said, \u201cSentinel-3 data are widely used in what we call ECVs. Because the mission captures such a wide range of geophysical data, it contributes to datasets upon which a lot of climate science is based.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Sentinel-3 satellites provide global coverage on a daily basis. Its multi-band radiometers are able to observe methane concentrations in high-resolution, supporting data from other Copernicus missions, such as Sentinel-5P and Sentinel-2.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n In 2023, the mission contributed data to studies on some of the methane \u2018super-emitters\u2019. Researchers found that Sentinel-3 can detect methane leaks of at least 10 tonnes per hour, depending on location and weather conditions, every single day, placing the mission in a unique position to identify and monitor such leaks.<\/p>\n Sentinel-3\u2019s measurements also support datasets that monitor carbon emissions, pollution and dust particles. The mission\u2019s wide-angle sensors, able to capture data over an area of up to 1400 km across, are suited to monitoring phenomena on regional or national scales, such as industrial emissions that spread across borders, as well as smoke from wildfires, volcanic eruptions and dust storms.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Sentinel-3 has consistently provided temperature measurements that show heatwaves as well as wildfires. This image of land surface temperatures across Europe show how hot the summer 2026 season has been in the northern hemisphere.<\/p>\n Sentinel-3 also provides data over the world\u2019s forests, including vegetation indexes and mapping forest cover and land-use changes. The mission can measure droughts, monitor wildfires and map burn scars.<\/p>\n Together with other Sentinel missions, Sentinel-3 has revolutionised our understanding of the water cycle by providing observations on a global scale for water levels in seas, rivers and lakes, as well as sea surface temperatures, ocean colour and the thickness of land and sea ice.<\/p>\n Jerome explains, \u201cSentinel-3 has been able to produce datasets on the height and thickness of sea ice, in a way that was not planned at the beginning of the mission. The mission is also producing exceptional altimetry data \u2013 better than foreseen \u2013 on Earth\u2019s water systems, such as the levels of lakes and rivers, as well optical data on sea ice extent. The mission has a real complementarity between optical and altimetry measurements.\u201d<\/p>\n Sentinel-3 reliably measures sea surface temperature, thanks to its very accurate thermal sensor, which is critical to understanding our changing oceans. The mission\u2019s Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR) is designed with excellent calibration, making it a reference instrument for measurements of sea surface temperature. It also supports research into a wide range of ocean characteristics, from biodiversity to acidification.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Sentinel-3\u2019s Synthetic Aperture Radar Altimeter (SRAL) provides data on sea-level rise, supporting the long-term datasets of missions such as Copernicus Sentinel-6 and Jason. The introduction of high-precision altimetry has enabled scientists to establish the rate of sea-level rise, which stands at a global average of 3.64 mm per year since 1999, and is accelerating.<\/p>\n The mission contributes valuable altimetry data to long-term datasets on sea-ice thickness, together with other missions, helping scientists to understand and predict when this crucial climate indicator reaches record lows. As part of ESA\u2019s Climate Change Initiative Sea Ice Project, Sentinel-3 data on sea-ice in the Arctic were analysed together with data from ESA\u2019s CryoSat and SMOS missions.<\/p>\n Along with the other Sentinel missions, Sentinel-3 provides data for Copernicus, the Earth observation component of the European Union\u2019s Space Programme. It provides rapid data and mapping for emergency activations, for example for flooding and wildfires. There have been more than 77 activations of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) since the beginning of 2026: more than half of the activations have been for wildfires (data as of 2 September).<\/p>\n According to ESA\u2019s Co-Mission Scientist for Sentinel-3 Next Generation, Simon Proud, Sentinel-3 is excellent at monitoring extreme events, with the European heatwaves this summer providing several examples. He explained, \u201cWhile Sentinel-2 provides high-resolution data on wildfires, it only covers a narrow area each day. The wide-swath thermal and optical observations from Sentinel-3, via instruments such as SLSTR, enable global, daily, detection of wildfires and other extreme events. In terms of storms and flooding, Sentinel-3 measures sea-surface height, temperature, and wind\/wave dynamics over open waters, which helps track marine storm surges and typhoons.\u201d<\/p>\n Although the two Sentinel-3 satellites currently in orbit were launched in 2016 and 2018, the processing and use of Sentinel-3 data continues to evolve \u2013 for example the new strategy for capturing and downloading data over central Europe. Jerome explained that the ESA team are constantly looking for ways to improve processes, \u201cWe have seen a reduction in the time it takes for the satellite to capture the data then transmit data to a ground station, enabling data to reach end users much faster. We are also helping users to work with data in new ways \u2013 well beyond what was originally planned for the mission.\u201d<\/p>\n Examples of evolving ways of analysing the data from Sentinel-3 include its data on sea-ice thickness and hydrology over land. Nic added, \u201cWe are always looking for ways to improve the way we use the satellite\u2019s optical and altimetry data. Since Sentinel-3A was launched in 2016, we have found ways to develop the algorithms and process data in more efficient ways to give greater insights into our climate and environment.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Currently Sentinel-3A and Sentinel-3B are in orbit but they will soon be joined by a third satellite. Sentinel-3C, together with ESA’s FLEX mission, is due to launch on board a Vega-C launcher from Europe\u2019s Spaceport in French Guiana on 15 September (03.21 CEST, 22:21 local time on 14 September).\u00a0Sentinel-3 is operated jointly by Eumetsat and ESA on behalf of the European Commission.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the launch of Sentinel-3C, we will secure stability for the mission,\u201d noted Nic, adding, \u201cThe design of the Sentinel-3C satellite has built on the results of its two sister satellites, Sentinels -3A and -3B, and it ensures continuity of the mission, which provides essential services as well as critical knowledge about our climate and the effects on our changing world.\u201d<\/p>\n At 35 m tall, Europe\u2019s\u202fVega-C\u202frocket can launch 2300 kg into space, making it suitable for the launch of small scientific and Earth observation spacecraft. ESA’s FLEX mission and Sentinel-3C are fitted inside Vega-C\u2019s fairing with a secondary payload adapter called Vespa. They are then deployed into orbit in turn with Sentinel-3C deploying first. The Vega-C programme is led by ESA, working with\u202fAvio\u202fas prime contractor and design authority.\u202fIt ensures that Europe has versatile and independent access to space.<\/p>\n Check this page\u00a0for updates on how to watch the launch of Sentinel-3C and FLEX.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t85<\/span> views<\/small><\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3<\/span> likes<\/small><\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\nContribution to climate knowledge<\/h2>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAtmospheric chemistry<\/h2>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nLand and vegetation<\/h2>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWater and ice cycles<\/h4>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSupporting Copernicus services<\/h4>\n
Evolving uses<\/h4>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nLaunch of Sentinel-3C<\/h4>\n
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