Sentinel-3

The Sentinel-3 satellites travel in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of approximately {{convert|814|km|mi|abbr=on}}, with an inclination of 98.6° and orbit cycle of approximately 100 minutes. The local time of descending node is 10:00 a.m. and nominal duration is 7.5 years.

A pair of Sentinel-3 satellites enables a short revisit time, allowing the earth to be imaged at least once every two days by the OLCI instrument, and at least once per day by the SLSTR instrument at the equator. This is achieved using both Sentinel-3A and Sentinel-3B satellites in conjunction. The satellite orbit provides a 27-day repeat for the topography package, with a 4-day sub-cycle.

On 14 April 2008, the European Space Agency and Thales Alenia Space signed a {{€|305 million}} contract to build the first GMES Sentinel-3 in its Cannes Mandelieu Space Center.{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Industry/Contract_signed_for_ESA_s_Sentinel-3_earth_observation_satellite |title=Contract signed for ESA's Sentinel-3 earth observation satellite |publisher=European Space Agency |date=14 April 2008 |access-date=17 August 2014}} Bruno Berruti led the team that was responsible for delivering the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellites from the drawing board into orbit.{{Cite web |url=https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-3/Bruno_Berruti_Project_Manager |title=Bruno Berruti: Project Manager |publisher=European Space Agency |access-date=26 January 2019}} The satellite platform was delivered to France for final integration in 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Bringing_Sentinel-3_together |title=Bringing Sentinel-3 together |publisher=European Space Agency |date=6 March 2013 |access-date=17 August 2014}} The communications systems were completed by Thales Alenia Space España in early 2014.{{cite web |url=https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/event/thales-alenia-space-espanas-contribution-europes-sentinel-satellites |title=Thales Alenia Space España's contribution to Europe's Sentinel satellites |publisher=Thales Alenia Group |date=24 April 2014 |access-date=17 August 2014}}

Sentinel-3A was subsequently launched on 16 February 2016 on a Rokot vehicle from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, located near Arkhangelsk, Russia.{{Cite web |url=https://earth.esa.int/web/guest/missions/esa-eo-missions/sentinel-3 |title=Sentinel-3 - ESA EO Missions |series=Earth Online |publisher=European Space Agency |access-date=13 March 2018}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-3/About_the_launch |title=About the Launch |publisher=European Space Agency |access-date=19 February 2019}} This first launch was followed by the launch of Sentinel-3B on 25 April 2018, also aboard a Rokot.{{cite news |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/04/25/european-environmental-observer-launched-by-russian-rocket/ |title=European environmental observer launched by Russian rocket |work=Spaceflight Now |first=Stephen |last=Clark |date=25 April 2018 |access-date=25 April 2018}} Each satellite is designed to operate for 7 years.{{cite web|title=Sentinel Online - Satellite Description|url=https://sentinels.copernicus.eu/web/sentinel/missions/sentinel-3/satellite-description|publisher=European Space Agency|access-date=February 5, 2023}}

The Sentinel-3 mission's main objectives are to measure sea-surface topography, land- and sea-surface temperature, land- and ocean-surface colour with accuracy in support of ocean forecasting systems, and for environmental and climate monitoring. Sentinel-3 builds directly on the heritage pioneered by ERS-2 and Envisat satellites. Near-real time data will be provided for ocean forecasting, sea-ice charting, and maritime safety services on the state of the ocean surface, including surface temperature, marine ecosystems, water quality, and pollution monitoring.

Further objectives of the mission include:

• Measure sea-surface topography, sea-surface height, and significant wave height
• Measure ocean and land-surface temperature
• Measure ocean and land-surface colour
• Monitor sea and land ice topography
• Sea-water quality and pollution monitoring
• Inland water monitoring, including rivers and lakes
• Aiding marine weather forecasting with acquired data
• Climate monitoring and modelling
• Land-use change monitoring
• Forest cover mapping
• Fire detection
• Weather forecasting
• Measuring Earth's thermal radiation for atmospheric applications

Sentinel-3 makes use of multiple sensing instruments:

File:Record-setting heatwave in Europe, February 2021.jpg]]

SLSTR (Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer) determines global sea-surface temperatures to an accuracy of better than {{convert|0.3|K-change|C-change F-change|1|lk=in}}. It measures in nine spectral channels and two additional bands optimised for fire monitoring. The first six spectral bands cover the visible and near-infrared (VNIR) spectrum as well as the short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectrum; VNIR for bands 1 to 3, and SWIR for bands 4 to 6.{{cite web |url=https://sentinel.esa.int/web/sentinel/user-guides/sentinel-3-slstr/resolutions/radiometric |title=Radiometric Resolution |series=Sentinel Online |publisher=European Space Agency |access-date=9 March 2019}} These 6 bands have a spatial resolution of {{convert|500|m|ft|abbr=on}}, while bands 7 to 9 as well as the two additional bands have a spatial resolution of {{convert|1|km|mi|1|abbr=on}}. For the SLSTR instrument on Sentinel-3, calibration on-board is one of the most important features for the thermal and infrared channels. This instrument has two black body targets used for calibration, one at similar temperature to the optics (about {{Convert|260|K|C|abbr=on|disp=or}}), and one at a higher temperature ({{Convert|302|K|C|abbr=on|disp=or}}), such that the temperature range corresponds to ocean surface temperatures measured by the instrument.{{Cite web |title=Sentinel Online: Calibration |url=https://sentinels.copernicus.eu/web/sentinel/technical-guides/sentinel-3-slstr/instrument/calibration |website=European Space Agency}}{{Cite journal|last1=Birks|first1=Andrew|last2=Cox|title=SLSTR: Algorithm Theoretical Basis Definition Document for Level 1 Observables|url=https://sentinel.esa.int/documents/247904/349589/SLSTR_Level-1_ATBD.pdf|journal=Science & Technology Facilities Council Rutherford Appleton Laboratory|date=14 January 2011|pages=173}}

File:Ireland from the Copernicus Sentinel-3 mission 01.tif viewed by Sentinel-3 during January, 2024]]

OLCI (Ocean and Land Colour Instrument) is a medium-resolution imaging spectrometer that uses five cameras to provide a wide field of view. The OLCI is an along-track or "push broom" scanner, meaning that the sensor array is arranged perpendicular to the path of flight.{{cite web |url=https://sentinel.esa.int/web/sentinel/missions/sentinel-3/instrument-payload/olci |title=OLCI Instrument Payload |series=Sentinel Online |publisher=European Space Agency |access-date=19 February 2019}} This method essentially eliminates the scale distortion near the edge of an image that is common with across-track or "whisk broom" scanners. OLCI has 21 spectral bands with wavelengths ranging from the optical to the near-infrared.{{cite web |url=https://sentinels.copernicus.eu/documents/247904/685236/Sentinel-3_User_Handbook |title=Sentinel-3 User Handbook |publisher=European Space Agency |version=1.0 |date=2 September 2013 |id=GMES-S3OP-EOPG-TN-13-0001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305205504/https://sentinels.copernicus.eu/documents/247904/685236/Sentinel-3_User_Handbook |archive-date=5 March 2016}} Bands vary in width from 400 nm to 1020 nm, and serve a variety of different purposes, including measuring water vapour absorption, aerosol levels, and chlorophyll absorption. SLSTR and OLCI are optical instruments with an overlap of their swath path, allowing for new combined applications.

Due to climate changing factors, inland coastal regions have become an increased area of concern, and from 2002 to 2012 the Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) provided quality observations for analysis. The OLCI improves upon the MERIS in that it was built with six additional spectral bands, higher-end signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), reduced solar glar, a maximum of 300 m spatial resolution, and increased ground coverage allowing it to sense cyanobacteria levels within inland coastal ecosystems.{{Cite journal|last1=Kravitz|first1=Jeremy.|last2=Mathews|first2=Mark|last3=Bernard |first3=Stewart|last4=Griffith|first4=Derek|title=Application of Sentinel 3 OLCI for chl-a retrieval over small inland water targets: Successes and challenges|journal=Remote Sensing of Environment|year=2020|volume=237 (Feb 2020)|pages=111562|doi=10.1016/j.rse.2019.111562|bibcode=2020RSEnv.237k1562K|s2cid=213229746 }} OLCI is currently the only sensor in space able to detect cyanobacteria.

File:Sea-level variations from Sentinel-3A ESA359994.jpg satellite]]

SRAL (Synthetic Aperture Radar Altimeter) is the main topographic instrument to provide accurate topography measurements over sea ice, ice sheets, rivers, and lakes. It uses dual-frequency K_u and C band and is supported by a microwave radiometer (MWR) for atmospheric correction and a DORIS receiver for orbit positioning. This allows the instrument, which is based on legacy missions such as CryoSat and the Jason missions,{{Cite web|url=https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-3/Instruments|title=Instruments|website=www.esa.int|language=en|access-date=2020-03-06}} to provide a 300-meter resolution and a total range error of 3 cm.{{Cite web|url=https://sentinel.esa.int/web/sentinel/missions/sentinel-3/instrument-payload/altimetry|title=Sentinel-3 - Instrument Payload - Altimetry - Sentinel Online|website=sentinel.esa.int|access-date=2020-03-06}} The instrument operates its pulse repetition frequency at 1.9 kHz (low-resolution mode - LRM, real aperture radar) and 17.8 kHz (synthetic aperture radar - SAR).

DORIS (Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite) is a receiver for orbit positioning.

MWR (MicroWave Radiometer) measures water vapour, cloud water content, and the thermal radiation emitted by the Earth. The MWR sensor has a radiometric accuracy of {{convert|3.0|K-change|C-change F-change}}.{{cite web |url=https://sentinel.esa.int/web/sentinel/missions/sentinel-3/instrument-payload/altimetry |title=Altimetry Instruments Payload |series=Sentinel Online |publisher=European Space Agency |access-date=19 February 2019}}

LRR (Laser retroreflector) accurately locates the satellite in orbit using a laser ranging system. When used in combination with SRAL, DORIS, MWR, they will acquire detailed topographic measurements of the ocean and in-land water.

GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) provides precise orbit determination and can track multiple satellites simultaneously.

Sentinel-3 is operated by the European Space Operations Centre (ESA) during the Commissioning Phase (E1) and EUMETSAT from the routine operations phase onwards. The in-orbit operations for Sentinel-3 are managed by EUMETSAT in Darmstadt, Germany. This includes monitoring the health of the satellite and the instruments, and coordinates housekeeping telemetry and commands at the main flight control center in Darmstadt, Germany. EUMETSAT maintains a Back-Up Control Centre in Torrejon, Spain. In addition, the ESA operates an x-band core station in Svalbard, Norway. This station is responsible for receiving the data collected by Sentinel-3.{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/content/view/full/463902 |title=Data flow |series=Sentinel-3 |publisher=European Space Agency |access-date=3 April 2018}} The data is then analysed by the Sentinel Collaborative Ground Segment and compiled into the Copernicus Space Component (CSC). The CSC is an earth observation program run by the ESA with the objective of providing high quality continuous monitoring of the earth. EUMETSAT generates and disseminates the marine and near-real-time atmospheric data from its own facilities in Darmstadt.

File:Extreme temperatures in Eureka ESA22181121.jpeg and its surroundings measured by the SLSTR instrument on August 11, 2020]]

The applications of Sentinel-3 are diverse. Using the collection of sensors on-board Sentinel-3 is able to detect ocean and land temperature and colour change. The Ocean and Land Color Instrument (OLCI) has a {{convert|300|m|ft|abbr=on}} resolution with 21 distinct bands allowing global coverage in less than four days. This sensor can then be used to by researches to do water quality and land-monitoring research. The satellite also has the ability to monitor the temperature of the sea, land and ice through the Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR). Sentinel-3 also has the ability to detect changes in sea-surface height and sea-ice using the synthetic aperture radar altimeter and the microwave radiometer, two of the most complex sensors on the satellite.

The observations acquired by the mission will be used to in conjunction with other ocean-observing missions to contribute to the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) which aims to create a permanent system of ocean observation.{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-3_stacks_up |title=Sentinel-3 stacks up |publisher=European Space Agency |date=24 April 2014 |access-date=21 December 2015}}

• Ocean colour and land reflectance data
• Sea, land, and ice surface temperature
• Active fire and burnt area monitoring
• Sea surface topography data

File:Bering Sea ESA376705.jpg|Bering Sea

File:Cyclone Debbie ESA375411.jpg|Cyclone Debbie

File:Kamchatka, Russia ESA374357.jpg|Kamchatka, Russia

File:United Kingdom ESA361630.tiff|United Kingdom

File:Hinnamnor 2022-09-01 0159Z.jpg|Typhoon Hinnamnor off the coast of Taiwan

File:Madagascar Sentinel-3.jpg|A view of Madagascar and the Mozambique Channel

File:Spain’s chilly blanket ESA22415247.jpeg|Snowfall from Storm Filomena visible on the Iberian Peninsula in January, 2021

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Sentinel-3}}

• [https://www.eumetsat.int/sentinel-3 Sentinel-3 website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826080836/http://www.eumetsat.int/website/home/Satellites/CurrentSatellites/Sentinel3/index.html |date=2016-08-26 }} by EUMETSAT
• [https://earth.esa.int/web/guest/missions/esa-future-missions/sentinel-3 Sentinel-3 website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609154042/https://earth.esa.int/web/guest/missions/esa-future-missions/sentinel-3 |date=2016-06-09 }} by European Space Agency
• [https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/c-missions/copernicus-sentinel-3 Sentinel-3 website] by eoPortal
• [https://s3view.oceandatalab.com Sentinel-3 NRT visualisation website] by OceanDataLab

{{Copernicus programme}}

{{European Space Agency}}

Category:Copernicus Programme

Category:Earth observation satellites of the European Space Agency

Category:Satellite series

Category:Earth satellite radar altimeters