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commissioning

Copernicus Sentinel-3C

ESA / European Commission / EUMETSAT · Earth, sun-synchronous orbit

Continuing the Sentinel-3 environmental record for forecasting and climate research.

Sentinel-3C and FLEX inside the open Vega-C fairing above Earth.
Illustration of Sentinel-3C and FLEX inside the Vega-C fairing. ESA/P. Carril.

At a glance

Phase
commissioning
Operator
ESA / European Commission / EUMETSAT
Destination
Earth, sun-synchronous orbit
Next milestone
Continue instrument calibration and commissioning, expected to take about five more months from ESA’s 8 October update
Last verified
15 October 2026

Where it stands

ESA published Sentinel-3C’s first colour images and altimeter measurements on 8 October. The spacecraft remains in commissioning after its 15 September launch.

The mission

The third Sentinel-3 spacecraft carries four science instruments to extend observations of oceans, land, ice and the atmosphere. Routine operations are managed jointly by ESA and EUMETSAT on behalf of the European Commission.

Latest reporting

Related

Missions deskSatellites deskThe launch deskSpace data

Sources

  • esa.int · https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FLEX_and_Sentinel-3C_launched
  • esa.int · https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FLEX_and_Sentinel-3C_ready_for_liftoff_on_Vega-C
  • emarketstorage.it · https://www.emarketstorage.it/sites/default/files/comunicati/2026-07/20260730_187461.pdf
  • esa.int · https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-3/Sentinel-3C_returns_its_first_views_of_Earth