40697 - SENTINEL-2A

Sentinel-2 is the second satellite of a constellation of 20 satellites. Sentinel-2A, with its optical camera, is a complement to the radar images from Sentinel-1A. It will support important areas of benefit to society such as food security and forest monitoring.

Its combination of wide swaths and short revisit time will allow users to view land change and vegetation growth with unprecedented accuracy. By frequently revisiting areas, it will allow a new generation of operational products, from land cover and change detection maps, disaster maps and leaf area index to chlorophyll content and other bio-geophysical variables.

Data will be provided on a free and open basis. Raw data will be analyzed, processed and harmonized by public and private sector service providers.

Sentinel-2B, its twin satellite, is scheduled for launch in mid-2016.

Facts in Brief

Launch Date: 2015-06-23
Launch Vehicle: Vega
Launch Site: Kourou, French Guiana