Following the launch of Copernicus Sentinel-4A last month, the European Union successfully launched the Copernicus Sentinel-5A to further monitor air quality and emissions around the world.
The satellite lifted off from the Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana at 02:37am (CEST) onboard Ariane 62 rocket and sent its first signal to Earth at 4:47 am. The launch is a result of seamless cooperation with trusted partners, the European Space Agency (ESA), EUMETSAT and Arianespace.
Once calibrated, Copernicus Sentinel-5A will be orbiting the Earth every 100 minutes, to deliver data on air pollutants and other atmospheric trace gases daily, around the world.
Access to frequent, authoritative data directly support EU policies in the areas of pollution reduction and air quality management (e.g. EU Methane Strategy, EU Ambient Air Directive, Zero Pollution Action Plan).
The Sentinel-5 mission together with the geostationary Sentinel-4 and the upcoming CO2M mission secure Copernicus as one of the most advanced Earth Observation systems in the world when it comes to atmosphere monitoring. With the launch of the Copernicus Sentinel-5 mission the EU also cements its position as space power and global leader in EO data provision.