AltimetryFuture

Cryosat | Jason-2 | (AltiKa) | NPOESS | Sentinel 3

4.3.5. Sentinel 3 - Ocean

Satellite Sentinel 3 - Ocean Launch TBD (after 2012) Mission to provide operational oceanography data for GMES Altitude TBD Inclination TBD

ESA is presently conducting a suite of activities to define the Space component of GMES more precisely. These Preparatory Activities are supporting the drafting of a formal programme proposal for the implementation of the GMES Space Component, which will be presented to the ESA Ministerial Council meeting at the end of 2005. Studies of the Sentinel 1, 2 and 3 families are aiming to provide the detailed definition of the satellite, its requirements for the ground segment and the operations concept (based on the requirements for an operational GMES system which have been defined in cooperation with users and other GMES stakeholders).

This mission, dedicated to providing operational oceanographic services, has been accepted as a baseline within GMES. It shall will provide data, on an operational basis, data in support of services that have been developed with ERS and Envisat since 1991. The altimeter part component of the mission will further complement that of Jason and others to contribute to a worldwide operational oceanographic service. Taking into account the global context and in particular European needs, capabilities and plans, the Sentinel 3 mission should begin by includinge first those components which (being well-defined and already exploited on a near-operational basis) have no guaranteed operational continuity beyond Envisat. These elements are the high-inclination altimeter and the visible-infrared component for products based on ocean colour and sea-surface temperature based products. In addition, activities related to the accommodation of the IR sensor on Sentinel 3 will be added during the second part of the definition study.

Source ESA