Sentinel-2A
| Company type | Satellite |
|---|---|
| Industry | Earth observation |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founder | Airbus Defence and Space |
| Headquarters | Europe |
| Products | High-resolution multispectral optical imagery |
| Parent | European Space Agency (Copernicus Programme) |
Sentinel-2A represents a European optical observation satellite introduced in 2015 as the inaugural unit of the Sentinel-2 constellation within the framework of the European Space Agency's Copernicus Programme. Developed by Airbus Defence and Space, this satellite is equipped with a sophisticated high-resolution multispectral sensor comprising 13 distinct spectral bands. This capability supports diverse applications such as monitoring forests, detecting changes in land cover, managing natural disasters, and evaluating water quality.
The satellite was deployed aboard a Vega launch vehicle from the Guiana Space Centre and operates in a low Earth orbit inclined at 98.56°. It facilitates data relay through S band, X band, and optical laser communication channels via the European Data Relay System (EDRS). Its operational lifespan is projected to span seven years.
On 7 March 2017, Sentinel-2A was complemented in orbit by its twin satellite, Sentinel-2B, thereby enhancing the Copernicus program's capacity for high-resolution optical land monitoring.
Launch
Sentinel-2A was placed into orbit by the Vega VV05 mission on 23 June 2015 at 01:52 UTC. The spacecraft separated from the rocket’s upper stage approximately 54 minutes following liftoff.
Orbital operation
The satellite acquired its initial imagery roughly 100 hours after launch, capturing a broad swath extending from Sweden across Central Europe down to Algeria. The commissioning phase concluded in October 2015.
Between 20 and 23 January 2017, an anomaly in mission planning resulted in data loss from its Multi-Spectral Imager system.