# Sentinel-3

> model of Earth observation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q2919104](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2919104)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentinel-3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sentinel-3

## Summary
Sentinel-3 is a model of Earth observation satellite developed as part of the European Space Agency's (ESA) Copernicus programme. It consists of two operational satellites, Sentinel-3A and Sentinel-3B, designed to monitor Earth's oceans, land, and atmosphere with high accuracy.

## Key Facts
- **Part of the Copernicus programme**: Sentinel-3 is an Earth observation satellite model under ESA's Copernicus programme, which provides global environmental monitoring.
- **Two operational satellites**: The model includes Sentinel-3A and Sentinel-3B, both launched to provide continuous data collection.
- **Primary mission**: Focuses on oceanography, land surface topography, and atmospheric measurements.
- **Operator**: Operated by the European Space Agency (ESA).
- **Manufacturer**: Built by Thales Alenia Space.
- **Power consumption**: Consumes 2,100 watts of power.
- **Total produced**: Two satellites (Sentinel-3A and Sentinel-3B) have been launched.
- **Wikipedia presence**: Available in multiple languages, including English, German, and Spanish.
- **Wikimedia focus**: Included in the WikiProject Climate Change for its relevance to environmental monitoring.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the purpose of the Sentinel-3 satellites?
A: Sentinel-3 satellites are designed to monitor Earth's oceans, land, and atmosphere, providing data on sea surface temperature, ocean color, land surface topography, and atmospheric composition.

### Q: How many Sentinel-3 satellites are in operation?
A: There are two operational satellites, Sentinel-3A and Sentinel-3B, launched as part of the Sentinel-3 model.

### Q: Who operates the Sentinel-3 satellites?
A: The satellites are operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) as part of the Copernicus programme.

### Q: What kind of data does Sentinel-3 collect?
A: Sentinel-3 collects data on sea surface temperature, ocean color, land surface topography, and atmospheric measurements, supporting climate research and environmental monitoring.

### Q: How does Sentinel-3 contribute to climate change monitoring?
A: By providing continuous data on ocean and land conditions, Sentinel-3 helps track climate change indicators such as sea level rise, ocean warming, and land surface changes.

## Why It Matters
Sentinel-3 plays a crucial role in global environmental monitoring, providing critical data for climate research, oceanography, and land surface studies. Its ability to measure sea surface temperature, ocean color, and atmospheric composition supports climate modeling, disaster response, and sustainable resource management. As part of the Copernicus programme, Sentinel-3 ensures continuous, high-quality data for scientists and policymakers worldwide, helping to address pressing environmental challenges.

## Notable For
- **Ocean monitoring**: Provides essential data for tracking sea surface temperature, ocean color, and marine ecosystems.
- **Land surface topography**: Measures changes in land elevation and vegetation, aiding in climate and environmental studies.
- **Atmospheric measurements**: Monitors atmospheric composition, including aerosols and trace gases, for climate research.
- **Copernicus contribution**: Part of ESA's Copernicus programme, ensuring global environmental monitoring with high accuracy.
- **Climate change support**: Data from Sentinel-3 helps assess climate change impacts, such as sea level rise and ocean warming.

## Body
### Overview
Sentinel-3 is a model of Earth observation satellites developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) as part of the Copernicus programme. The model includes two operational satellites, Sentinel-3A and Sentinel-3B, launched to provide continuous data on Earth's oceans, land, and atmosphere.

### Mission and Instruments
Sentinel-3 satellites are equipped with advanced instruments to measure sea surface temperature, ocean color, land surface topography, and atmospheric composition. These instruments include the Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI) and the Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR).

### Data Applications
The data collected by Sentinel-3 supports various applications, including climate research, oceanography, land surface monitoring, and atmospheric studies. It helps track climate change indicators, such as sea level rise, ocean warming, and land surface changes.

### Operational Details
- **Operator**: European Space Agency (ESA)
- **Manufacturer**: Thales Alenia Space
- **Power consumption**: 2,100 watts
- **Total satellites**: Two (Sentinel-3A and Sentinel-3B)
- **Wikipedia availability**: Available in multiple languages, including English, German, and Spanish.

### Significance
Sentinel-3's continuous data collection ensures long-term environmental monitoring, supporting climate research, disaster response, and sustainable resource management. Its role in the Copernicus programme underscores its importance in global environmental monitoring.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013