Launch of Sentinel-3A: the bigger picture for Copernicus

The launch of the third Copernicus satellite, Sentinel-3A, will be on a Rockot vehicle. Copernicus is a joint initiative of ESA and the European Commission, where ESA is responsible for the satellite missions and data delivery. Sentinel-3 will measure sea-surface topography, sea- and land-surface temperature and ocean- and land-surface colour with high accuracy and reliability in support of ocean forecasting systems, and for environmental and climate monitoring. Launch time: 16 February 2016:  17:57 GMT, 18:57 Paris, 20:57 Plesetsk