Sentinel-2C sealed within the Vega rocket fairing

As soon as in orbit, Sentinel-2C will present high-resolution photos for a variety of functions together with land, water and atmospheric monitoring, as are presently offered by Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B.

Since its arrival on the spaceport in July, Sentinel-2C has been present process all that it takes to get it prepared for liftoff. This consists of an enormous variety of cautious checks to make sure all its parts are in good working order, the hazardous activity of loading the satellite with over 130 kg of volatile fuel and mating the satellite the Vega to  the launch adapter.

And now, the groups have encapsulated the satellite tv for pc throughout the rocket fairing. Aside from being a big milestone on the street to liftoff, it is usually considerably emotional because the satellite tv for pc itself gained’t be seen once more.

ESA’s Sentinel-2C launch marketing campaign supervisor, Patricia Lopez, mentioned, “The marketing campaign to prepared Sentinel-2C for launch has gone extraordinarily effectively and that is due to the onerous work from all of the groups concerned. Certainly, encapsulation is a vital milestone and whereas we’re extraordinarily joyful to have reached this level, it was additionally time for us to say farewell.

“For a really brief time earlier than the fairing closure, the fortunate ones who have been right here might see the satellite tv for pc as by no means earlier than, all dressed-up in its flight configuration and looking out like a valuable jewel that we are going to now preserve safely packed till launch.

“Clearly, the true good-byes will are available in lower than two weeks now – liftoff is scheduled for 3 September at 22:50 native time right here in Kourou, which is 4 September 03:50 CEST – which we’re all very a lot trying ahead to.”

As its title suggests, Sentinel-2C is the third within the Sentinel-2 sequence. As soon as commissioned in orbit, it should exchange its predecessor, Sentinel-2A, which was launched in 2015. Later, Sentinel-2D will exchange Sentinel-2B.

This all ensures the continuity of images for Copernicus Companies and past.

The mission offers high-resolution optical imagery for a variety of functions together with land, water and atmospheric monitoring. The mission is predicated on a constellation of two an identical satellites flying in the identical orbit however 180° aside.

The satellites every carry a high-resolution multispectral imager that generates optical photos within the seen, near-infrared and shortwave-infrared a part of the electromagnetic spectrum. From their altitude of 786 km, they supply steady imagery in 13 spectral bands with resolutions of 10 m, 20 m and 60 m, with a big swath width of 290 km.

Sentinel-2C will likely be taken into orbit on a Vega rocket – the truth is the final rocket of its type. Vega will likely be outmoded by the brand new Vega-C.