Author Topic: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017  (Read 42928 times)

Offline Steven Pietrobon

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Re: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017
« Reply #240 on: 03/07/2017 02:25 am »
End of webcast.

Congratulations to ESA and the EC for the successful launch!
« Last Edit: 03/07/2017 02:26 am by Steven Pietrobon »
Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design #1:  Engineering is done with numbers.  Analysis without numbers is only an opinion.

Online ZachS09

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Re: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017
« Reply #241 on: 03/07/2017 02:33 am »
Standing by for AVUM MES-3 in about four minutes.
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

Online ZachS09

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Re: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017
« Reply #242 on: 03/07/2017 02:37 am »
T+1 hour, 48 minutes, 27 seconds. AVUM MES-3. We've restarted the RD-868P engine again in order to place AVUM on a suborbital trajectory.

This last burn has a duration of 1 minute and 33 seconds.
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

Online ZachS09

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Re: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017
« Reply #243 on: 03/07/2017 02:39 am »
T+1 hour, 50 minutes. AVUM MECO-3. The RD-868P has officially shut down, ending the powered portion of the flight. AVUM now bound to reenter Earth's atmosphere.

This won't be covered, but Arianespace officials will declare the mission over at 1 hour, 57 minutes, 30 seconds.
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

Online ZachS09

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Re: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017
« Reply #244 on: 03/07/2017 02:39 am »
Thanks for joining me for tonight's coverage of Sentinel 2B. I hope to see you soon within the next week; hopefully in time for EchoStar 23.
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017
« Reply #245 on: 03/07/2017 05:35 am »
Nice shot via @ESO_EO on Twitter:

Here's higher resolution version.

Offline input~2

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Re: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017
« Reply #246 on: 03/07/2017 06:29 am »
2 objects have been cataloged by USSTRATCOM:

2017-013A/42063 in 777 x 778 km x 98.57° (P/L)
2017-013B/42064 in 771 x 794 km x 98.54°

Offline A12

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Re: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017
« Reply #247 on: 03/07/2017 06:49 am »
Congratulazioni a tutti per il bel lancio !

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017
« Reply #248 on: 03/07/2017 08:54 am »
ESA launch photos.

Offline jacqmans

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Re: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017
« Reply #249 on: 03/07/2017 09:08 am »
March 6, 2017 

The Vega launch success with Sentinel-2B confirms Arianespace’s contribution to a better life on Earth

Continuing Vega’s track record of success, Arianespace’s ninth flight with the lightweight launcher delivered Europe’s Sentinel-2B Earth observation satellite to orbit tonight during a mission performed from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

This was the ninth consecutive on-target launch with Vega since its introduction at the Spaceport in February 2012, and marked Arianespace’s third liftoff so far in 2017 – during which the company is targeting up to 12 missions with its launcher family composed of Vega along with the medium-lift Soyuz and heavyweight Ariane 5.

Tonight’s Sentinel-2B payload is a part of the satellite system being deployed in the European Commission’s Copernicus program to provide Europe with continuous, independent and reliable access to Earth observation data.

Sentinel-2B is the fourth Copernicus program satellite orbited by Arianespace, following the successful launch of Sentinel-1A on a Soyuz in April 2014, the lofting of Sentinel-2A aboard a Vega in June 2015, and the deployment of Sentinel-1B by a Soyuz in April 2016.

Europe’s independent space access with Arianespace

“Through Copernicus, Europe is developing its own global monitoring system to better address our environment and security issues,” said Luce Fabreguettes, Arianespace’s Senior Vice President – Missions. “This objective is fully in line with our mission to provide autonomous and independent access to space to Europe, at the service of a better life on Earth.”

Sentinel-2B was deployed during a mission lasting just under 58 minutes, with Vega departing the Spaceport at the exact instance of liftoff at 10:49:24 p.m., local time in French Guiana. After the propulsion provided by Vega’s solid-propellant first, second and third stages, the bi-propellant AVUM upper stage performed two burns, enabling the satellite to be released for operation in Sun-synchronous orbit.


The total payload lift performance for tonight’s mission was an estimated 1,208 kg., with the Sentinel-2B spacecraft weighing in at 1,130 kg.

Sentinel-2B was built by an Airbus-led consortium of companies, with support by the French CNES space agency and the DLR German Aerospace Center. Equipped with a multispectral, wide-swath, high-resolution optical imaging instrument, the satellite’s mission is primarily focused on monitoring land masses and coastal zones around the world. Its data will be used for applications concerning the monitoring of vegetation, soil types and habitats.

A mission for the European Commission and ESA

Arianespace’s orbiting of Sentinel-2B – designated Flight VV09 in the company’s launcher family numbering system – was performed on behalf of the European Commission within the scope of a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA).

Arianespace will continue its launch services for the European Commission, with eight more of the Galileo satellite-based navigation system spacecraft to orbit – with four planned to be lofted before year-end on an Ariane 5 mission.

The European Space Agency also continues as a key customer for Arianespace, with six other missions currently in the launch services order book.

Arianespace will maintain its sustained mission pace for 2017, with a heavy-lift Ariane 5 launch up next – planned for March 21 with the SGDC dual-use relay satellite for Brazil and Korea’s KOREASAT-7 telecommunications platform. Both spacecraft were built by Thales Alenia Space.

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/vega-vv09-launch-success/
« Last Edit: 03/07/2017 09:10 am by jacqmans »
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017
« Reply #250 on: 03/07/2017 09:09 am »
March 6, 2017 

Flight VV09: Arianespace uses Vega to successfully launch the Sentinel-2B satellite for Europe’s Copernicus program


Arianespace has successfully launched the Sentinel-2B satellite for the European Commission within the scope of a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA).


The launch took place on Monday, March 6, at 10:49 p.m. local time from the Guiana Space Center (CSG), Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

This was the third launch of the year for Arianespace and the first in 2017 with the Vega light launcher. It also marked the ninth successful launch in a row for Vega, which made its debut at the Guiana Space Center in 2012.

With this latest successful launch, Arianespace once again demonstrates its commitment to sustainable development, while also carrying out its mission of guaranteeing European independent access to space.

Arianespace at the service of sustainable development with the European Copernicus program

Following the successful launches of Sentinel-1A, Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-1B, today’s mission with Sentinel-2B marks the fourth satellite in the European Commission’s Copernicus Earth observation program to be orbited by Arianespace from the Guiana Space Center.

The Sentinel-2B Earth observation satellite mainly focuses on monitoring land masses and coastal zones around the world. It will be positioned in an orbit opposite that of Sentinel-2A to ensure optimum coverage and data delivery. The pair of Sentinel-2 satellites will cover the Earth’s entire surface in five days. This high frequency means they will capture brand-new views of the Earth, driving considerable progress in monitoring and predicting changes in vegetation and aquatic pollution.

Sentinel-2B combines a multispectral, wide-swath, very-high-resolution optical imaging instrument with a dedicated platform developed by Airbus, a long-standing partner to Arianespace. It is the 117th Airbus-built satellite to be launched by Arianespace. There are 16 more satellites from this manufacturer in Arianespace’s order book, not counting the OneWeb constellation.

Sentinel-2B is the 61st Earth observation satellite to be launched by Arianespace. These types of satellites represents 10% of all spacecraft launched by Arianespace since being founded, and 23% of its current order backlog (in number of satellites).

ESA’s Sentinel program includes six families of satellites:
•Sentinel-1 will ensure data continuity with the ERS and Envisat radar satellites.
•Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 are designed to help provide a better understanding of how climate change impacts our daily lives.
•Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 are dedicated to meteorology and climatology, with a special focus on studying the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere.
•Sentinel-6 will measure ocean topography, mainly for operational oceanography and climatology.
 

Arianespace guarantees independent and dependable access to space for Europe

With this launch on behalf of the European Commission and within the scope of an ESA contract, Arianespace fulfills its mission of guaranteeing independent and dependable access to space for Europe.

In 2017, Arianespace also will orbit four additional satellites for the Galileo program on behalf of the European Commission and ESA.

After this 55th mission for ESA, Arianespace’s order book still includes missions to orbit the following payloads on behalf of the European Space Agency:
•8 satellites for Galileo (2×4 satelites)
•ADM-AEOLUS
•EDRS-C
•BEPI-COLOMBO
•and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
 

A new commercial success for Vega

The eight previous missions performed by Vega prior to Flight VV09 included both government and commercial customers. Looking ahead, the launcher’s order book – primarily comprising Earth observation missions – now counts seven launches, one-third of which are for European institutions and the remaining two-thirds for export customers.

Arianespace is gearing up for the future with Vega C, slated to make its first flight as from 2019. Vega C will:
•Offer higher performance in terms of payload weight and volume;
•Handle a greater variety of missions, from nano-satellites to large optical and radar observation satellites; and
•Be more competitive as a result.


Vega profile

Vega is a European Space Agency (ESA) program, financed by Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden.

The launcher design authority and prime contractor is ELV/AVIO, an Italian joint venture between Avio (70%) and the Italian space agency ASI (30%).

Arianespace markets and operates this light launcher, alongside the Ariane 5 heavy launcher and the Soyuz medium launcher.
 

Shortly after the announcement that the Sentinel-2B satellite had been injected into orbit, Arianespace Chairman and CEO Stéphane Israël said: “With this third launch of the year, and the first in 2017 for our light launcher, Arianespace guarantees Europe’s independent access to space and continues to support actions in favor of sustainable development. Sentinel-2B is the fourth satellite launched by Arianespace for the European Copernicus program.

“I would like to thank the European Commission for their ongoing confidence, as well as ESA, our direct customer for this launch. Congratulations to all our partners in this latest success: Airbus, which built Sentinel-2B; the industrial prime contractor for Vega – ELV/Avio – which is  the artisan at our side in the success of Vega; the European Space Agency, whose support is essential for the Vega program, for which Italy’s ASI space agency is the leading financier; CNES/CSG and all companies and staff at the launch base, who continue to support us as we go from success to success; and lastly, congratulations to Arianespace’s own teams for the success of this 260th launch from the Guiana Space Center.”


The Sentinel-2B satellite was built by Airbus as prime contractor, leading an industry consortium.

 Sentinel-2B weighed 1,130 kg at launch, and will be positioned in Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 786 km, with an inclination of 98.57°.

The launcher carried a total payload of 1,208 kg on this mission.
 
http://www.arianespace.com/press-release/flight-vv09-arianespace-uses-vega-to-successfully-launch-the-sentinel-2b-satellite-for-europes-copernicus-program/
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017
« Reply #251 on: 03/07/2017 09:11 am »
Second ‘colour vision’ satellite for Copernicus launched

7 March 2017

The ESA-developed Sentinel-2B satellite was launched today, doubling the coverage of high-resolution optical imaging in the Sentinel-2 mission for the European Union Copernicus environmental monitoring system.

The 1.1 tonne satellite was carried into orbit on a Vega rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana at 01:49 GMT on 7 March (02:49 CET; 22:49 local time, 6 March).

The first stage separated 1 min 55 sec after liftoff, followed by the second stage and fairing at 3 min 39 sec and 3 min 56 sec, respectively, and the third stage at 6 min 32 sec.

After two more ignitions, Vega’s upper stage delivered Sentinel-2B into the targeted Sun-synchronous orbit. The satellite separated from the stage 57 min 57 sec into the flight.

Telemetry links and attitude control were then established by controllers at ESA’s operations centre in Darmstadt, Germany, allowing activation of Sentinel’s systems to begin. The satellite’s solar panel has already been deployed. 

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-2/Second_colour_vision_satellite_for_Copernicus_launched
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017
« Reply #252 on: 03/07/2017 09:13 am »
A successful ninth mission for Vega

Colleferro, 7 March – The Vega launcher has successfully completed its first mission in 2017 (and ninth overall), by flawlessly delivering the Sentinel 2B Earth observation satellite into orbit.

The mission lifted off from the space centre in Kourou, French Guiana, at 10:49 pm on 6 March (2:49 am on 7 March CET).

Avio’s CEO Giulio Ranzo had the following to say: “Today’s successful mission has once again underlined the reliability and precision of the Vega launcher. On this occasion, we helped ESA to deliver into orbit the Sentinel 2B Earth observation satellite.

We are happy to have made another contribution to humankind’s ability to monitor the health of our planet by flawlessly placing the satellite in orbit. We constantly strive to develop new technologies and launchers that offer ever greater performance. Just a few days ago, we finished making the first P120 in our facility in Colleferro, near Rome. It is the biggest carbon fibre solid propellant engine that has ever been built anywhere in the world and it will be used in the new Vega C and Ariane 6 European launchers, which will give Europe increasingly sophisticated and effective capabilities and have their maiden flights in 2019 and 2020.”

The Sentinel 2B Earth observation satellite is part of the Copernicus programme, which is directed by the European Commission in partnership with ESA. Its main roles will include managing data and images from natural disasters and monitoring the oceans, vegetation and the atmosphere. In addition, it will have many more important objectives relating to matters such as climate change and civil protection.  Sentinel 2B will join Sentinel 2A, which was delivered into orbit by the Vega launcher in 2015. The two satellites will provide high-resolution images of the entire surface of the globe every five days.

Vega is a European launcher that was designed, developed and built in Italy by Avio, through its subsidiary ELV (30% owned by ASI, the Italian Space Agency). It belongs to a new generation of vehicles designed to transfer satellites into low Earth orbit (between 300 and 1,500 km from Earth) for institutional and scientific purposes, in order to observe the Earth and monitor the environment. 65% of the funding for Vega came from Italy and it was built in the Avio production plant in Colleferro, near Rome. It complements the family of European launchers and it is capable of placing into orbit satellites with masses of up to 2,000 kg.

Following another exceptional success by one of its products, Avio is continuing to work towards listing on the stock market. As long as everything goes as planned with the necessary authorization procedures, it hopes to complete the process by the end of April 2017.

http://www.avio.com/en/press-release/a-successful-ninth-mission-for-vega/
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017
« Reply #253 on: 03/07/2017 09:14 am »
Airbus: Successfully launched Sentinel-2B to complete Europe´s colour vision mission of Earth

March 7, 2017 - Press release

Kourou, 07/03/2017 - Europe´s Copernicus programme has got its second eye. On Tuesday, 7 March at 02:49 am CET (6 March at 10.49 pm local time), a Vega launcher successfully took off from the spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, carrying the satellite developed and built under the industrial leadership of Airbus for the European Space Agency (ESA). After just over one hour, the solar panel, needed to supply energy, was unfolded and Sentinel-2B successfully reported in ‘for duty’. The 1.1 ton satellite has been designed to operate for at least 7 years and 3 months in a polar orbit at 786 kilometres above the Earth.

"The outstanding capabilities of Sentinel-2’s multispectral instrument and the accurate geolocation performance of the satellite along with its rapid data transmission ability fully match the rapidly rising demand of satellite-based Earth and environmental data," said Nicolas Chamussy, Head of Space Systems at Airbus.

The mission is based on a constellation of two identical satellites, Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B. Sentinel-2A was launched in 2015 into the same orbit, but 180° apart. With two satellites in orbit it will take only five days to produce an image of the entire Earth between the latitudes of 56° south and 84° north, thus optimising the global coverage zone and data transmission for numerous applications.

The Sentinel-2 mission contributes to the management of food security by providing information for the agricultural sector. Sentinel-2, with its multispectral instrument, is the first optical Earth observation mission of its kind to include three bands in the ‘red edge’, which provide key information on vegetation state. Sentinel-2 is designed to provide images that can be used to distinguish between different crop types as well as data on numerous plant indices, such as leaf area index, leaf chlorophyll content and leaf water content – all of which are essential to accurately monitor plant growth.

This kind of information will help informed decisions to be made – from deciding how much water or fertiliser is needed for a maximum harvest to forming strategies to address climate change. While this has obvious economic benefits, this kind of information is also important for developing countries where food security is an issue.

Sentinel-2 also maps the condition and changes to land surfaces as well as monitoring forests worldwide. The mission provides information about the pollution of lakes and coastal waters, whilst images of floods, volcanic eruptions and landslides aid the production of disaster maps and facilitate humanitarian aid activities.

The imaging instrument uses 13 spectral channels, ranging from the visible to the infrared, to deliver high-resolution multispectral images of the Earth’s surface with a resolution of up to 10 metres at an image width of 290 kilometres. This extremely large scanning width results in data coverage of the entire Earth relatively quickly, while at the same time, the advanced instrument provides an unprecedented level of detail.

Sentinel-2 is also capable of using the European Data Relay System (EDRS). EDRS is a network of laser communication payloads on geostationary satellites and low Earth orbit satellites. The system, also known as the "SpaceDataHighway" is being developed by Airbus for ESA (European Space Agency) and provides secure and fast communication services. EDRS ensures the timely availability of data particularly for time-critical applications such as environmental monitoring, emergency response and security missions. Sentinel-1 and -2 satellites are the first observation satellites equipped with Airbus´s laser communication terminal. EDRS-A, the first dedicated relay satellite for the SpaceDataHighway programme was launched on 30 January 2016. The SpaceDataHighway has been open for traffic since November 2016.

The Sentinel-2 mission has been made possible thanks to the close collaboration between ESA, the European Commission, industry, service providers and data users. Its development has involved more than 40 companies from 20 different countries, led by Airbus in Germany for the satellites and Airbus in France for the multispectral instruments, while Airbus in Spain is responsible for the mechanical satellite structure.

To ensure data continuity two further optical satellites, Sentinel-2C and -2D, are being constructed in the cleanrooms of Airbus and will be ready for launch as of 2020/2021.

https://airbusdefenceandspace.com/newsroom/news-and-features/airbus-successfully-launched-sentinel-2b-to-complete-europes-colour-vision-mission-of-earth/
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017
« Reply #254 on: 03/07/2017 09:38 am »
Press Release
N°08-2017

Paris, 7 March 2017

Second 'colour vision' satellite for Copernicus launched

The ESA-developed Sentinel-2B satellite was launched today, doubling the coverage of high-resolution optical imaging in the Sentinel-2 mission for the European Union Copernicus environmental monitoring system. 

The 1.1 tonne satellite was carried into orbit on a Vega rocket from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana at 01:49 GMT on 7 March (02:49 CET; 22:49 local time, 6 March). 

The first stage separated 1 min 55 sec after liftoff, followed by the second stage and fairing at 3 min 39 sec and 3 min 56 sec, respectively, and the third stage at 6 min 32 sec. 

After two more ignitions, Vega's upper stage delivered Sentinel-2B into the targeted Sun-synchronous orbit. The satellite separated from the stage 57 min 57 sec into the flight. 

Telemetry links and attitude control were then established by controllers at ESA's operations centre in Darmstadt, Germany, allowing activation of Sentinel's systems to begin. The satellite's solar panel has already been deployed. 

After this first 'launch and early orbit' phase, which typically lasts three days, controllers will begin checking and calibrating the instruments to commission the satellite. The mission is expected to begin operations in three to four months. 

"With this launch we are taking another step toward advancing the Copernicus programme, which is the most sophisticated Earth observation system in the world. And we are planning to add two more satellites to the constellation in the next months: with
Sentinel-5P and Sentinel-3B," said ESA Director General Jan Woerner. 

The optical imaging Sentinel-2 mission is based on a constellation of two identical satellites: Sentinel-2A, which was launched in June 2015, and Sentinel-2B. Although launched separately, the satellites are placed in the same orbit, flying 180° apart.
Every five days, the satellites jointly cover all land surfaces, large islands, and inland and coastal waters between latitudes 84°S and 84°N, optimising global coverage and data delivery.

Each Sentinel-2 satellite carries an innovative high-resolution multispectral camera with 13 spectral bands for a new perspective of land and vegetation. The combination of high-resolution, novel spectral capabilities, a field of vision covering 290
km and frequent revisit times will provide unprecedented views of Earth. 
Information from this mission is helping to improve agricultural practices, monitor the world's forests, detect pollution in lakes and coastal waters, and contribute to disaster mapping.

"I have personally been involved in Copernicus since its very first day and helped shape it along its way. It is therefore extremely satisfying to see the constellation of satellites delivering data for the services we have always dreamt of," said
Josef Aschbacher, ESA's Director of Earth Observation Programmes. 
"Sentinel-2A gets its twin brother in space with the launch of Sentinel-2B today. This allows global coverage every five days with the 13-channel high-resolution sensor, which is unprecedented in this class of satellites. I look forward to many new
applications coming from Sentinel-2 now that this constellation is complete."

Six families of Sentinel satellites will make up the core of EU's Copernicus environmental monitoring network. An EU flagship space initiative, Copernicus provides operational information on the world's land surfaces, oceans and atmosphere to support
environmental and security policymaking, and meet the needs of citizens and service providers. 
Jacques :-)

Offline Rocket Science

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Re: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017
« Reply #255 on: 03/07/2017 01:08 pm »
Congrats on the "sporty" launch and sat deploy, well done! :)
"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
~Rob: Physics instructor, Aviator

Offline Kosmos2001

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Re: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017
« Reply #256 on: 03/07/2017 03:19 pm »
9th successful Vega launch in a row. Congratulation to all the team.
« Last Edit: 03/07/2017 03:35 pm by Kosmos2001 »

Offline jacqmans

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Re: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017
« Reply #257 on: 03/07/2017 04:43 pm »
Press release, 7 March 2017

Earth firmly in view – Sentinel-2B satellite successfully launched - Another 'guardian' of the European Earth observation programme Copernicus is in orbit

Just two years after its 'twin satellite' was launched on 7 March 2017 at 02:49 CET (6 March at 22:49 local time), the European Earth observation satellite Sentinel-2B set off on its mission on board a Vega rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French
Guiana. The approximately 1.1-ton satellite will monitor Earth from an altitude of 786 kilometres in a sun-synchronous orbit. Its most important task is to document changes to land surface and vegetation between 84 degrees North and 56 degrees South
latitude. Will the harvest be enough for the population? How intensively should farmers fertilise? How healthy are our forests? Sentinel-2B will monitor all Earth's land surfaces except Antarctica, including all the islands that belong to the EU and
all other islands larger than 100 square kilometres, as well as coastal areas, lakes, the Mediterranean Sea, and other landlocked bodies of water. 
 
"With its high-resolution optical camera, Sentinel-2B can provide important information for global agriculture, forestry and water management, as well as for spatial planning and disaster relief. This demonstrates once again the important contribution
that space technology can make to finding solutions to global challenges," explains Gerd Gruppe, German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) Executive Board Member responsible for the Space Administration. "The combination
of 13 high-resolution spectral bands, a swath width of 290 kilometres, and regular global coverage recurring every five days makes the twin satellites Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B interesting for new applications. The programme is setting new standards
for modern environmental missions in the optical and near infrared." 

The Sentinel satellites are part of the European Commission's Copernicus programme. Its purpose is to collect and evaluate remote sensing data of Earth. The data has been provided free of charge to authorities, companies, science and every interested
citizen since the start of the programme in 2014. ESA invested 339 million euro in the development of both Sentinel-2 satellites on behalf of the European Commission. Germany is involved in these developments with just over 32 percent – the DLR Space
Administration is responsible for the corresponding ESA programmes on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI). In all, four optical Sentinel-2 satellites will be part of the Copernicus satellite family,
which will comprise a total of 20 satellites. Sentinel-2A has been in orbit since 23 June 2015, Sentinel-2C and Sentinel-2D should follow from 2022 onwards. 

Together with Sentinel-2A, Sentinel-2B doubles the recording frequency – every point on Earth will now be recorded every five days – and halves the failure probability, which are both central requirements for users of Copernicus data.

The 'eye' of the Sentinel-2 satellites – the so-called multispectral imager (MSI) – can generate high-resolution optical images in the visible, near and short-wave infrared range. The MSI provides images in a 290-kilometre swath – significantly more
than any other Earth observation satellite. "Not only do the Sentinel-2 satellites record colours in the visible range of the spectrum, but also in the near infrared range, which also provides us with information on the health of plants and their growth
state. This enables a more targeted use of fertilisers in agriculture, as well as better harvest forecasts and, ultimately, global food security, for instance. Sentinel-2 will also provide information about the condition of forests and landlocked bodies
of water – important fundamental data required to counter global pressure on natural resources," said Jörn Hoffmann, Director of the Copernicus Programme at the DLR Space Administration. The concept for each Sentinel mission is to have two operative
satellites in orbit at the same time. With Sentinel-2B, the second satellite has been launched. This satellite will ensure data continuity and should provide long-term Earth-monitoring data into the 2030s.   

Copernicus

How healthy will our air be five years from now? How clean will our water be? And how much will the rainforest have shrunk? In order to answer these and similar questions, the European Commission launched the Earth observation programme Copernicus.


Copernicus comprises six satellite families, the so-called Sentinels that study the Earth and its atmosphere, thus providing important data for climate protection, sustainable development, humanitarian aid, food security and the health of the oceans.
This satellite data is complemented by measuring devices on the ground, in the air and in water. The European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) are responsible for operating
all 20 environmental satellites. In Germany, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) is the lead organisation responsible for Copernicus. DLR supports the programme in Germany.

German partners from industry and research

As for Sentinel-2A, the main contractor for the construction of Sentinel-2B is Airbus Defence and Space in Friedrichshafen, where the satellite platform was also assembled. Further assembly and testing took place at IABG AG in Munich. Important components
for the instruments and platform were manufactured by various companies in Germany – for instance Jena-Optronik GmbH and ZARM Technik AG. The technology for the optical data transmission in space, the so-called laser communication terminals (LCTs),
were developed and manufactured by Tesat Spacecom in Backnang. The German Earth Observation Center (EOC) at the DLR site in Oberpfaffenhofen is also involved in the Sentinel missions, and thus the Copernicus programme.

Jacques :-)

Offline Jester

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Re: LIVE: Vega Flight VV09 - Sentinel-2B - March 6, 2017
« Reply #258 on: 03/09/2017 01:44 pm »
Lift-off poster without you know what...
« Last Edit: 03/09/2017 01:44 pm by Jester »

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