The Sentinel-2 satellites capture data of all of Earth's major land surfaces, coastal areas, and inland waters every five days. The twin satellites fly in the same orbit but are separated by 180 degrees from each other and have a wide field of view of 290 km. They have dramatically improved our Earth observation capabilities.
Capturing the unseen in many facets
Each Sentinel-2 satellite is equipped with an Airbus-developed multispectral imager that captures data across 13 different bands (wavelengths of light). This allows for analysis of aspects of the Earth's surface that are hidden from human view. Sentinel-2 is the first Earth observation mission of its kind to include three bands in the 'red edge,' which provide key evidence on the state of vegetation.
Zoom into detail
With every pixel in each delivered image ranging from 10 to 60 meters, the Sentinel-2 satellites provide detailed observations of landscapes, urban areas, and vegetation, enabling surprising discoveries, such as new penguin colonies.
365 terabytes per year!
Since the launch of Sentinel-2A in 2015, the satellites have provided continuous Earth observation data. Over one terabyte of valuable data is produced every day, accessible to scientists, businesses, and the public.
The Sentinel-2 mission
The Sentinel-2 mission is part of the Copernicus programme, composed of a fleet of innovative satellite missions-the Sentinels. The programme is led by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Union (EU) and is designed and built by a consortium of about 60 companies led by Airbus.
Continuity with Sentinel-2C
The Airbus-built Sentinel-2C is the third in this vital Earth observation family and will progressively replace Sentinel-2A, which is set to retire in the coming months. It will continue to provide similar types of data, allowing for analysis of changes in areas over years and decades, which is instrumental for measurement methods.
Agricultural insights
Sentinel-2 can monitor the health of plants and help improve farming methods. Images from the satellite's multispectral instrument can distinguish between different crop types and determine numerous plant indices such as leaf area index, leaf chlorophyll content, and leaf water content.
Disaster response
Sentinel-2 data supports rapid response during natural disasters, providing critical information for managing floods, wildfires, and other emergencies. The rapid mapping provides information on the level of damage and the extent and impact for rescue services.
Helping tackle deforestation
Stung Treng province in Cambodia is known for its rich biodiversity and vast forests. In recent years, it has also become a hotspot for deforestation. Data from Sentinel-2 is vital for those fighting deforestation, providing clear indications of the rapid rate at which forests are being cleared.
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