# Sentinel-3B

> ESA Earth observation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q52196628](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q52196628)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentinel-3B)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sentinel-3b

## Summary
Sentinel-3B is an Earth observation satellite launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) as part of the Copernicus Programme. It was launched on April 25, 2018, aboard a Rokot rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, joining its twin satellite Sentinel-3A to provide continuous global monitoring of Earth's oceans, land, and atmosphere.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of**: Sentinel-3, a model of Earth observation satellite.
- **Launch date**: April 25, 2018, at 17:57:51 UTC.
- **Launch vehicle**: Rokot, a Russian space launch vehicle.
- **Launch site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133.
- **Mass**: 1,200 kilograms at launch weight.
- **Orbit**: Sun-synchronous orbit.
- **Manufacturer**: Thales Alenia Space.
- **Operator**: European Space Agency.
- **Spacecraft bus**: PRIMA (Platform for Resource Incorporation and Management Architecture).
- **Power source**: Spacecraft solar array.
- **Design life**: 7 years.
- **Part of**: Sentinel programme and Copernicus Programme.
- **Preceded by**: Sentinel-3A, another ESA Earth observation satellite.
- **COSPAR ID**: 2018-039A.
- **NSSDCA ID**: 2018-039A.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of Sentinel-3B?
A: Sentinel-3B is designed to monitor Earth's oceans, land, and atmosphere, providing continuous data for environmental monitoring and climate research.

### Q: How does Sentinel-3B differ from Sentinel-3A?
A: Sentinel-3B is the twin satellite of Sentinel-3A, launched to ensure redundancy and continuous coverage, complementing Sentinel-3A's observations.

### Q: What type of orbit does Sentinel-3B use?
A: Sentinel-3B operates in a sun-synchronous orbit, allowing it to pass over the same locations at the same local time each day for consistent data collection.

### Q: Who operates Sentinel-3B?
A: Sentinel-3B is operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) as part of the Copernicus Programme.

### Q: What is the expected operational lifespan of Sentinel-3B?
A: Sentinel-3B has a design life of 7 years, though it may continue operations beyond this period if its systems remain functional.

## Why It Matters
Sentinel-3B plays a crucial role in the Copernicus Programme, which aims to provide accurate, timely, and easily accessible information about Earth's environment. By monitoring oceans, land, and the atmosphere, Sentinel-3B supports applications in climate change research, marine environment monitoring, and disaster management. Its twin satellite, Sentinel-3A, launched in 2016, ensures continuous data collection, enhancing the reliability and accuracy of environmental observations. The satellite's data is used by scientists, policymakers, and researchers to track changes in sea level, ocean color, and land surface temperature, contributing to global environmental monitoring and climate modeling.

## Notable For
- **Twin Satellite**: Sentinel-3B is the second of two identical satellites, providing redundancy and continuous coverage.
- **Ocean Monitoring**: Equipped with advanced instruments to measure sea surface temperature, ocean color, and sea level.
- **Atmospheric Monitoring**: Capable of tracking atmospheric variables such as ozone, aerosols, and cloud properties.
- **Sun-Synchronous Orbit**: Ensures consistent data collection by passing over the same locations at the same local time each day.
- **Part of Copernicus Programme**: Contributes to the European Union's Earth observation initiative, providing critical data for environmental and climate research.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Sentinel-3B is part of the Sentinel-3 mission, which consists of two identical satellites, Sentinel-3A and Sentinel-3B. The mission is designed to provide global measurements of Earth's oceans, land, and atmosphere, supporting a wide range of environmental and climate-related applications. The satellites carry a suite of instruments, including the Ocean and Land Color Instrument (OLCI) and the Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR), which enable detailed observations of sea surface temperature, ocean color, and land surface temperature.

### Launch and Deployment
Sentinel-3B was launched on April 25, 2018, aboard a Rokot rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133. The launch vehicle, Rokot, is a three-stage rocket that uses a Briz-KM upper stage to place the satellite into its final orbit. The satellite was manufactured by Thales Alenia Space and has a launch mass of 1,200 kilograms. It operates in a sun-synchronous orbit, ensuring consistent data collection over time.

### Instruments and Capabilities
Sentinel-3B is equipped with several instruments that enable it to monitor Earth's oceans and land. The Ocean and Land Color Instrument (OLCI) provides high-resolution imagery of ocean color and land vegetation, while the Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR) measures sea surface temperature and land surface temperature. Additionally, the satellite carries the Synthetic Aperture Radar Altimeter (SRAL) to measure sea level and the Microwave Radiometer (MWR) to correct altimeter measurements for atmospheric effects.

### Data Applications
The data collected by Sentinel-3B supports a variety of applications, including climate change research, marine environment monitoring, and disaster management. The satellite's observations contribute to the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) initiative, which aims to provide accurate and timely information about Earth's environment. The data is used by scientists, policymakers, and researchers to track changes in sea level, ocean color, and land surface temperature, helping to inform environmental policies and climate models.

### Operational Status
Sentinel-3B has a design life of 7 years, with the expectation that it will continue operations beyond this period if its systems remain functional. The satellite's twin, Sentinel-3A, was launched in 2016 and continues to operate alongside Sentinel-3B, ensuring continuous coverage and data collection. The two satellites work together to provide comprehensive global monitoring of Earth's environment.

## Schema Markup
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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/sentinel-3.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report