The additional data provided by the satellite will help improve our understanding of sea level changes, marine pollution and biological productivity. It will also provide information on the spread of wildfires, land use, the state of vegetation, and water levels in lakes and rivers. 

"This new satellite will deliver valuable images of how our oceans and land are changing. This will not only speed up the response to natural disasters but also create new business opportunities. Earth observation is a larger market than you would think – a driver for research discoveries, a provider of highly skilled jobs and a developer of innovative services and applications," said Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs. 

Sentinel-3B is the seventh Copernicus Sentinel to be launched. It completes the Copernicus Sentinel 3 constellation by joining its twin Sentinel-3A, which was launched in 2016. The two-satellite configuration ensures users are provided with the necessary coverage and timely data. 

About Copernicus

Copernicus is the EU's Earth observation programme. Using its Sentinel satellites in combination with airborne, ground-based and seaborne measurement systems, it provides a vast amount of data on our planet. This information can be used by innovative businesses and public authorities to provide an array of services that improve the quality of people's lives and protect our environment. Among other things, Copernicus can monitor changing sea ice levels and air pollution, detect forest fires and illegal logging, and support relief operations following natural disasters.

Copernicus data is provided free of charge and without restrictions on access. 

Copernicus Masters

Copernicus Masters is an international competition that awards prizes to innovative ideas and solutions using Copernicus data. From 2011, there have been over 3100 participants from over 70 countries, and over 100 winners have been awarded prizes worth a total of about €4.3 million. With a variety of industries and public areas of interest standing to benefit from earth observation data, there are many challenges waiting to be solved.