Sentinel-2A successfully launched

The ESA-developed Sentinel satellite - Sentinel-2A- was launched today, adding a high-resolution optical imaging capability to the European Union Copernicus environmental monitoring system.The 1.1 tonne satellite was carried on a Vega rocket from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana at 01:52 GMT on 23 June. The first stage separated 1 min 52 seconds after liftoff, followed by the second stage and fairing at 3 min 37 seconds and 3 min 54 seconds, respectively, and the third stage at 6 min 32 seconds. After a first ignition, 7 min 42 seconds after liftoff, followed by two reignitions, Vega's upper stage delivered Sentinel-2A into the targeted Sun-synchronous orbit. The satellite separated from the stage 54 min 43 seconds into the flight.

Telemetry links and attitude control were then established by controllers at ESA's operations centre in Darmstadt, Germany, allowing activation of Sentinel's systems to begin. The satellite's solar panel has already been deployed (see the video). After this first phase, which typically lasts three days, controllers will begin checking and calibrating the instruments to commission the satellite. The mission is expected to begin operations in three or four months.

Six families of Sentinel satellites will make up the core of EU's Copernicus environmental monitoring network. An EU flagship space initiative, Copernicus will provide operational information on the world's land surfaces, oceans and atmosphere to support environmental and security policymaking, and meet the needs of citizens and service providers. Sentinel-2A will complement the all-weather, day-and-night radar imagery provided by the first in the fleet, Sentinel-1A, launched on 3 April 2014.

"Sentinel-2 is the second satellite of a constellation of twenty satellites which will scrutinise planet Earth and will vastly improve the ability of Copernicus to provide European citizens with the most comprehensive data for environmental and security applications available anywhere in the world," noted ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain.

Sentinel-2B, its twin satellite, is scheduled for launch in mid-2016. Fourteen Sentinel satellites are currently planned. In addition, Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 will be carried as payload on six meteorological satellites.