Sentinel Satellites Initiate New Era in Earth Observation

Abstract

With the European Space Agency's (ESA) Sentinel‐1A satellite expected to enter into its operational phase later this summer, it ushers in a new series of Earth observation satellites. The first generation of the fleet of satellites, which will total 20 when all are launched, will comprise “the most comprehensive Earth observation system worldwide,” according to Josef Aschbacher, head of program planning and coordination for ESA's Earth Observation Programs directorate. The satellites are a key part of Copernicus, the European Earth Observation Program that from 1998 to 2012 was called the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) program.