SENTINEL-3 A and B Optical Payload: Early Results From Commissioning and Tandem Flight Activities

Abstract

The Sentinel-3 (S3) mission is developed as part of the Copernicus Space Component (CSC) Programme to fulfil the space-based observation requirements in response to European policy priorities with a particular emphasis on the Copernicus core services as identified by the Commission. The Sentinel-3 main objectives are to measure sea-surface topography, sea- and land-surface temperature and ocean- and land-surface colour in support of ocean forecasting systems, and for environmental and climate monitoring. A series of Sentinel-3 satellites will ensure global, frequent and near-real time ocean, ice and land monitoring, with the provision of observation data in routine, long term (up to 20 years of operations) and continuous fashion, with a consistent quality and a high level of reliability and availability. Sentinel-3 carries an Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI), a Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR), a SAR Radar altimeter (SRAL) supported by a Microwave Radiometer (MWR) and a suite of orbit determination instruments. A full description of Sentinel-3 can be found in [Donlon et al (2012)]. The paper will focus on S3 optical payloads described in Nieke et al (2015) and Coppo et al (2015).