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Satellites

Sentinel-2

The Copernicus optical imaging mission for repeated observations of Earth's land and coastal areas.

Why it matters

Open Earth-observation data support environmental monitoring at broad geographic scales.

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Specific hardware / satellites

Overview

Sentinel-2 is a mission with multiple spacecraft, not one permanent view from a fixed point. Its multispectral observations support mapping and change detection. Clouds can obscure optical views.

Educational reference, reviewed . This page is not a live mission-status report.

How it works

An imaging instrument measures reflected light in different spectral bands. Repeated orbital coverage allows scientists to compare surface conditions over time.

Why it matters

Open Earth-observation data support environmental monitoring at broad geographic scales.

Key facts & specifications

Values apply only to the hardware or configuration described. Unverified measurements are omitted.

Measurement
Multispectral imaging
ESA · Sentinel-2 ↗
Setting
Earth orbit
ESA · Sentinel-2 ↗

Illustration gallery

Original educational diagrams, not photographs of specific hardware.

Satellites system diagram: a conceptual illustration, not a photograph of Sentinel-2

Conceptual satellites illustration. Not to scale; not a depiction of this specific hardware.

Cosmic Civilizations · original educational vector illustration

Real-world applications

  • Vegetation mapping
  • land-cover change

Read the primary references for the original mission context and technical limits.

Continue exploring

Follow a learning path · Visit Mission Control

Sources & further reading

Agency references are educational citations, not endorsements. Editorial diagrams are original artwork; community uploads appear separately below and do not inherit these credits or permissions.

Community Picture Gallery

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