Copernicus Sentinel-5P (ESA)
Copernicus Sentinel-5P maps the gases in the air we breathe, covering the whole planet every day with its Tropomi instrument (ESA).
Image: NASA.
Last reviewed: 4 sources cited
Explain Like I'm 10
- Sentinel-5P is a satellite that sniffs the air from space.
- Every day it checks the whole planet for gases that make air dirty.
- This helps keep people healthy and track gases that warm Earth.
The Five W's of Sentinel-5P
Who
ESA and the Netherlands Space Office developed Sentinel-5P, managed by ESA as part of the EU's Copernicus program.
What
The first Copernicus mission dedicated to monitoring our atmosphere. Its Tropomi instrument maps trace gases, Tiny bits of dust, smoke, salt or pollution floating in the air. They can block sunlight and help clouds form. Glossary and clouds.
Source: ESA, Sentinel-5P
When
Sentinel-5P was designed for at least seven years of service and carries fuel for 10.
Where
In a polar The curved path an object takes as it travels around a planet, moon or star, like a satellite circling Earth. Glossary 824 kilometers up, flying in formation with the U.S. Suomi-NPP satellite. Tropomi sees a strip of Earth 2,600 kilometers wide.
Impact Statement
Agency solution · active
Sentinel-5P provides daily global coverage of trace gases that affect air quality and climate (ESA).
Source: ESA, Sentinel-5P facts and figures
For Further Information: ESA, Sentinel-5P facts and figures
Sentinel-5P's Tropomi instrument sees a strip of Earth 2,600 kilometers wide in one pass.
How This Saves People & the Planet
For People
Mapping air pollution every day helps track the gases that affect our health (ESA).
Source: ESA, Sentinel-5P
For Nature
Its global maps of trace gases help scientists study the climate (ESA).
Get Involved With Sentinel-5P
Want to go deeper? ESA has the full Sentinel-5P story.
For Further InformationRelated Solutions
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Help This Work
This is a public mission, so there is nothing to donate. You can explore its free data or join a citizen science project.