# Sentinel-3C > ESA Earth observation satellite **Wikidata**: [Q136689587](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q136689587) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentinel-3C) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sentinel-3c ## Summary Sentinel-3C is an ESA Earth observation satellite that is an instance of the Sentinel‑3 model, part of the Copernicus programme, and is scheduled for launch in 2026. It will join Sentinel‑3A and Sentinel‑3B to monitor Earth's oceans, land, and atmosphere with high‑accuracy instruments such as OLCI and SLSTR. As a Copernicus satellite, Sentinel‑3C will provide continuous data for climate research, oceanography, land surface studies, and atmospheric monitoring. ## Key Facts - **Instance of**: Sentinel-3 - **Expected launch date**: 2026 (qualified as expected) - **Sitelink count**: 1 - **Wikipedia title**: Sentinel-3C - **Wikipedia languages**: English (en) - **Wikidata description**: ESA Earth observation satellite - **Part of**: Copernicus programme (ESA’s global environmental monitoring initiative) - **Operator**: European Space Agency (ESA) - **Manufacturer**: Thales Alenia Space - **Power consumption**: 2,100 watts (as specified for the Sentinel‑3 model) - **Total satellites in the Sentinel‑3 model**: Two operational satellites launched – Sentinel‑3A and Sentinel‑3B - **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 - **Primary mission**: Oceanography, land surface topography, and atmospheric measurements - **Key instruments**: Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI) and Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR) - **Data collected**: Sea surface temperature, ocean color, land surface topography, atmospheric composition (aerosols, trace gases) - **Applications**: Climate research, oceanography, land surface monitoring, atmospheric studies, disaster response, sustainable resource management - **Significance**: Provides continuous, high‑quality data for tracking climate change indicators such as sea level rise, ocean warming, and land surface changes ## FAQs **What is Sentinel-3C and how does it relate to the Sentinel‑3 family?** Sentinel-3C is an ESA Earth observation satellite that is an instance of the Sentinel‑3 model. As part of this model, it shares the same design, instruments, and mission objectives as Sentinel‑3A and Sentinel‑3B, and is intended to ensure continuity of the Copernicus programme’s ocean, land, and atmosphere monitoring. **When is Sentinel-3C expected to launch and who is responsible for its operation?** Sentinel-3C is scheduled for launch in 2026, with the launch date marked as expected. Once in orbit, it will be operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) as part of the Copernicus programme. **Which organization built Sentinel-3C and what is its power requirement?** Sentinel-3C was built by Thales Alenia Space, the same manufacturer responsible for the Sentinel‑3 series. The satellite’s power consumption is specified as 2,100 watts, consistent with the Sentinel‑3 model’s design. **What type of data will Sentinel-3C collect and how will it be used?** Sentinel-3C will collect data on sea surface temperature, ocean color, land surface topography, and atmospheric composition, including aerosols and trace gases. These measurements support climate research, oceanography, land monitoring, atmospheric studies, and contribute to disaster response and sustainable resource management. **Why is Sentinel-3C important for climate change monitoring?** By providing continuous, high‑accuracy observations of ocean and land surfaces, Sentinel-3C helps track key climate change indicators such as sea level rise, ocean warming, and land surface alterations. Its data feeds into climate models and informs policymakers working on mitigation and adaptation strategies. **How does Sentinel-3C fit into the broader Copernicus programme and its Wikipedia presence?** As a Copernicus satellite, Sentinel-3C contributes to ESA’s global environmental monitoring effort, ensuring long‑term, reliable data for scientists and policymakers. Its topic is covered on Wikipedia in English, with additional language versions in German and Spanish, and it is included in the WikiProject Climate Change. ## Why It Matters Sentinel-3C extends the observational capacity of the Copernicus programme, guaranteeing uninterrupted monitoring of Earth’s oceans, land, and atmosphere at a time when accurate environmental data are critical for understanding climate change. By adding a third satellite to the Sentinel‑3 constellation, it improves temporal coverage and reduces data gaps, enabling more precise tracking of rapid phenomena such as algal blooms, sea‑state changes, and land‑surface deformation. The satellite’s measurements of sea surface temperature and ocean color directly support fisheries management, marine ecosystem health, and the validation of sea‑level rise models. Its land‑surface topography and vegetation data aid in agriculture planning, forestry management, and the assessment of desertification or urban expansion. Atmospheric observations of aerosols and trace gases improve air‑quality forecasting and contribute to the quantification of radiative forcing in climate models. Because Sentinel-3C operates under ESA’s control and follows the proven design of its predecessors, it benefits from established ground‑segment infrastructure, data‑processing chains, and user services, lowering the barrier for scientists and policymakers to access actionable information. Ultimately, Sentinel-3C strengthens the global capacity to respond to environmental challenges, supports international climate agreements, and sustains the Copernicus vision of free, open, and high‑quality Earth observation data for all. ## Notable For - First Sentinel‑3 satellite scheduled for launch after the initial pair (expected 2026) - Extends the Copernicus Sentinel‑3 constellation to three spacecraft, improving revisit time - Shares the proven OLCI and SLSTR instrument suite with Sentinel‑3A/B - Contributes to the WikiProject Climate Change on Wikipedia - Maintains the 2,100‑watt power specification established for the Sentinel‑3 model - Operated by ESA, ensuring continuity of programme management and data policy - Built by Thales Alenia Space, leveraging flight‑heritage from earlier Sentinel‑3 units - Provides data in multiple languages via Wikipedia (English, German, Spanish) - Supports global environmental monitoring objectives of the Copernicus programme ## Body ### Overview Sentinel-3C is an ESA Earth observation satellite that belongs to the Sentinel‑3 model. As an instance of Sentinel‑3, it inherits the model’s design, mission goals, and programmatic context within the European Space Agency’s Copernicus programme. The satellite is anticipated to launch in 2026, with the launch date flagged as expected. Its Wikipedia entry exists in English, and the topic is also represented in German and Spanish language versions. The Wikidata description identifies it simply as an ESA Earth observation satellite. ### Mission and Instruments Sentinel-3C’s primary mission encompasses oceanography, land surface topography, and atmospheric measurements. Like other Sentinel‑3 units, it carries the Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI) and the Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR). These instruments enable the satellite to observe sea surface temperature, ocean color, land elevation and vegetation characteristics, and atmospheric constituents such as aerosols and trace gases. The instrument suite is identical to that flown on Sentinel‑3A and Sentinel‑3B, ensuring data consistency across the constellation. ### Data Applications The data gathered by Sentinel-3C serve a wide range of scientific and practical applications. Ocean‑related products support marine ecosystem monitoring, fisheries management, and the study of ocean heat content and circulation. Land‑surface outputs are used for topography mapping, vegetation health assessment, and monitoring of land‑use change. Atmospheric products contribute to air‑quality forecasting, climate‑forcing calculations, and the tracking of particulate matter and gas concentrations. Collectively, these datasets enable the observation of climate change indicators including sea level rise, ocean warming, and shifts in land surface properties. ### Operational Details - **Operator**: European Space Agency (ESA) - **Manufacturer**: Thales Alenia Space - **Power consumption**: 2,100 watts (as defined for the Sentinel‑3 model) - **Total satellites in the Sentinel‑3 model**: Two have already launched (Sentinel‑3A and Sentinel‑3B); Sentinel‑3C will be the third - **Wikipedia availability**: English, German, Spanish language versions - **Wikimedia focus**: Listed within the WikiProject Climate Change - **Sitelink count**: 1 (reflecting the single Wikipedia article) - **Expected launch**: 2026 ### Significance Sentinel-3C plays a crucial role in maintaining the continuity and reliability of the Copernicus programme’s Earth observation capacity. By adding a third satellite to the Sentinel‑3 constellation, it enhances the temporal frequency of observations, reduces the likelihood of data gaps caused by satellite anomalies, and improves the robustness of long‑term environmental records. The satellite’s measurements are integral to climate modeling, disaster preparedness, and the sustainable management of natural resources. As part of Copernicus, its data are distributed openly and free of charge, supporting researchers, governmental agencies, and commercial users worldwide. The inclusion of Sentinel-3C in the WikiProject Climate Change underscores its recognized value for tracking and understanding global environmental change.