# Sentinel-2C

> ESA optical Earth observation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q87410499](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q87410499)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentinel-2C)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sentinel-2c

## Summary
Sentinel-2C is an ESA optical Earth observation satellite launched on 5 September 2024 as part of the Copernicus programme. It provides high-resolution multispectral imagery for environmental monitoring, land cover mapping, and climate change studies. The satellite operates in a Sun-synchronous orbit and is designed for a 7-year mission lifespan.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: 5 September 2024 at 01:50:15 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Vega rocket (flight VV24) from Ensemble de Lancement Vega, Kourou.
- **Mission**: Part of the ESA/NASA/EC Copernicus Sentinel-2 constellation for global land monitoring.
- **Orbit**: Sun-synchronous at 786 km altitude with a 100.4-minute orbital period.
- **Instruments**: Carries a Multispectral Imager (MSI) with 13 spectral bands.
- **Design Life**: 7 years (planned operational lifespan).
- **Manufacturer**: Airbus DS GmbH.
- **Predecessor**: Sentinel-2B (launched 2017).

## FAQs
### Q: When was Sentinel-2C launched?
A: Sentinel-2C launched on 5 September 2024 at 01:50:15 UTC aboard a Vega rocket from Kourou, French Guiana.

### Q: What is the purpose of Sentinel-2C?
A: Sentinel-2C provides high-resolution optical imagery for land monitoring, agriculture, forestry, disaster management, and climate change research as part of the Copernicus programme.

### Q: Who operates Sentinel-2C?
A: The European Space Agency (ESA) operates Sentinel-2C in partnership with the European Union.

## Why It Matters
Sentinel-2C plays a critical role in the Copernicus Earth observation programme, ensuring continuity of high-resolution optical data for monitoring the Earth's surface. Its multispectral imagery supports sustainable development, disaster response, and climate science by tracking changes in vegetation, water bodies, and urban areas. As part of a constellation with Sentinel-2A and 2B, it guarantees daily global coverage, enabling consistent long-term datasets for researchers, policymakers, and commercial users. This data drives informed decision-making for environmental protection, agricultural optimization, and emergency management.

## Notable For
- Third satellite in the Sentinel-2 constellation, enhancing revisit frequency to every 2–3 days.
- Uses the AstroSat-500 Mk. 2 spacecraft bus designed for high-data-volume missions.
- Launched on the final flight of the Vega rocket before its retirement.
- Designed for a 7-year operational lifespan with 1,140 kg launch mass and 2.35 m height.

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
- **Date/Time**: 5 September 2024, 01:50:15 UTC.
- **Launch Site**: Ensemble de Lancement Vega, Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou.
- **Rocket**: Vega (VV24), operated by Arianespace.
- **Mass**: 1,140 kg (launch weight), 1,017 kg (dry weight).

### Technical Specifications
- **Dimensions**: 3.4 m length, 1.8 m width, 2.35 m height.
- **Power**: 1 spacecraft solar array.
- **Orbit**: 
  - **Altitude**: 786.5 km apoapsis, 784.7 km periapsis.
  - **Inclination**: 98.6°.
  - **Eccentricity**: 0.0001254.
  - **Semi-Major Axis**: 7,156 km.

### Mission Objectives
- **Primary Goal**: Provide 10 m resolution multispectral imagery for land cover classification, crop monitoring, and water quality assessment.
- **Coverage**: Global, with a 290 km swath width.
- **Revisit Time**: 2–3 days (with constellation).

### Operational Status
- **Operator**: European Space Agency (ESA).
- **Ground Control**: ESA/ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany.
- **Data Access**: Open and free via Copernicus data hubs.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Satellite",
  "name": "Sentinel-2C",
  "description": "ESA optical Earth observation satellite",
  "url": "https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-2",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q125734647",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentinel-2C"
  ],
  "manufacturer": "Airbus DS GmbH",
  "operator": "European Space Agency",
  "launchDate": "2024-09-05",
  "launchVehicle": "Vega",
  "satelliteOf": "Sun-synchronous orbit",
  "cosparId": "2024-157A",
  "mass": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": 1140,
    "unitText": "kilogram"
  }
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/sentinel-2.htm)
2. [Source](https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-2/Facts_and_figures)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=60989)