How Sentinel-3 tracks climate change

The Copernicus Sentinel-3 mission is one of the most diverse Earth-observation systems for measuring and monitoring climate, and its data have substantially advanced our understanding of climate change over the past decade. Since the first satellite launched ten years ago, measurements of oceans, land and atmosphere have supported scientific research and reports that inform global climate policy, including the work of the IPCC.

The mission’s unique strength comes from the combination of sensors aboard each satellite, along with wide-angle coverage that lets it capture data rapidly across entire regions, according to ESA’s Sentinel-3 Project Manager Nic Mardle. It is currently the only Copernicus mission with such diverse capabilities. The instruments monitor ocean and ice surface characteristics, land temperature and changing land use such as forest cover, atmospheric greenhouse gases, and events like wildfire smoke plumes. The satellites provide global coverage on a daily basis using their multiband radiometers.

Sentinel-3 data feed into 55 Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) defined by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), and are widely used in climate science, says Mission Manager Jerome Bouffard. ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, Simonetta Cheli, noted that the satellites deliver exceptionally accurate data on almost all aspects of the environment, making the mission highly relevant to EU climate policy. She added that the addition of a third satellite ensures continuity, enabling continued tracking of key climate indicators and investment in climate resilience.