The Sentinel missions are a family of Earth observation satellites developed specifically for the operational needs of the European Union's Copernicus programme. Each Sentinel mission is based on a constellation of satellites to fulfil revisit and coverage requirements, providing robust datasets for Copernicus services. The missions employ radar and multi-spectral imaging instruments for land, ocean and atmospheric monitoring.
constellations
facts
sats active (verified) counts objects currently tracked in CelesTrak's catalog for this constellation. It is a tracking count, not an operator claim about satellite health. Rows marked computed are the sum of the sub-constellations listed below; each sub-constellation page carries its own sourced figure.
orbit
crawled events
- notable2026-10-15EU Commission prepares to fast-track Airbus-Leonardo-Thales satellite venture
- notable2026-10-14European Commission moves to bring Ukraine onto GOVSATCOM amid Starlink dispute
- major2026-08-06EU Commission signs deal expanding IRIS2 constellation to 348 satellites
- notable2026-06-10ESA and European Commission sign in-space servicing pact; Thales Alenia wins EROSS SC
timeline
- 20252025-11-04Sentinel-1D reaches orbit, joining twin Sentinel-1C in the radar constellationas of 2026-07-06
- 20222022-08-03ESA and European Commission declare end of the Sentinel-1B missionas of 2026-07-06
- 20212021-12-23Sentinel-1B suffers power supply anomaly, halting radar data deliveryas of 2026-07-06
- 20202020-11-21Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich launches to extend the sea level recordas of 2026-07-06
- 20162016-02-16Sentinel-3A launches, adding ocean and land monitoring to Copernicusas of 2026-07-06
- 20152015-06-23Sentinel-2A launches, adding multispectral land imaging to Copernicusas of 2026-07-06
- 20142014-04-03Sentinel-1A launches, opening Europe's Copernicus Earth observation programmeas of 2026-07-06
sources
faq
Who operates ESA Copernicus (fleet)?
ESA Copernicus (fleet) is operated by European Commission. as of 2026-07-05
When did ESA Copernicus (fleet) first launch?
ESA Copernicus (fleet) first launched on 2014-04-03. as of 2026-07-05