Guardian of our atmosphere - European environmental satellite Sentinel-5P is in space

DLR German Aerospace Center
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Guardian of our atmosphere - European environmental satellite Sentinel-5P is in space


In which quantity are trace gases, such as nitrogen dioxide, ozone, formaldehyde, sulphur dioxide, methane and carbon monoxide, present in our atmosphere? How high are the global and regional concentrations of aerosol particles? Which processes induce changes in our environment, and how do they affect our climate, air quality, and therefore our health?

The most recent satellite to join Europe's Copernicus Earth observation programme is designed to provide answers to precisely these questions: on board a Rockot launch vehicle, Sentinel-5P took off from the Plesetsk spaceport in northern Russia at 11:27 CEST on 13 October 2017. The satellite separated from the launcher on schedule at 12:46 CEST, before deploying its solar panels and sending its first successful signal.

Sentinel-5P – the P stands for 'Precursor' – is part of the Sentinel satellite fleet, which has been gradually formed since 2014. By 2030, the environmental monitoring programme will include 20 Earth observation satellites, providing a hitherto unparalleled level of quality and quantity.


Full article with images and video: http://www.dlr.de/dlr/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-10081/151_read-24523/year-all/#/gallery/28796

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