After traveling from Airbus in Friedrichshafen to Bremen on July 2nd, the Airbus-built Copernicus Sentinel-2C satellite, the third in its series, is now bound for the European spaceport in French Guiana. Today, it was loaded onto the Canopée, a sail-assisted cargo ship designed for transporting Ariane 6 rocket components. This journey to the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou will take approximately two weeks.
Marc Steckling, Head of Earth Observation, Science, and Exploration at Airbus, highlighted the critical role of satellites in climate change assessment, noting that Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites, operational since 2015, have been instrumental. Sentinel-2C will continue this legacy, enhancing capabilities in monitoring climate impacts and marine litter from space.
These satellites play a pivotal role in monitoring land use, natural disasters, and environmental changes, aiding agriculture, forestry, and humanitarian efforts. They also contribute to food security by providing detailed agricultural data, distinguishing crop types and assessing vegetation health.
Sentinel-2C, like its predecessors, will operate under the Copernicus program, offering optical imaging capabilities across various spectral bands. With advanced technologies like the MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) and Silicon Carbide optics, it ensures high-quality image data essential for global environmental monitoring.
Airbus, a key contributor since the inception of Copernicus, continues to lead in satellite development, preparing Sentinel-2C for launch aboard a Vega rocket by Arianespace in September. This mission underscores European cooperation in space exploration and environmental stewardship.
