sentinel-3 blog

This Monday 14 September, the VV30 final chronology started around noon. The mobile grantry was retracted around H0-3h55m: The final countdown was performed as expected and the lift-off happened at 22h 21m 07s in Kourou (15 September 01h 21m 07s UTC): The main launch events can be reviewed here: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2026/09/FLEX_and_Sentinel-3C_launch_highlights Both Sentinel-3C and FLEX satellites […]

Following the successfull dress rehearsal, the launcher preparation activities have continued, including launch vehicle arming and fairing flight door final closure. The VV30 Launch Readiness Review has been successfully held on Saturday and everything is green to start the final chronology on Monday with a lift-off time scheduled on 14 September at 22h 21m 07s […]

On Saturday, the PAC (Payload Assembly Composite) left the S5B building on the PFRCS (Plate-Forme Routière du Composite Supérieur), which is a dedicated truck equipped with ventilation to keep the PAC in an acceptable temperature range: Once arrived at the ZLV launch pad, the PAC was hoisted to the top of the gantry: It was […]

After removing the last non-flight items and a carefull inspection, the satellite was in its final flight configuration! It was time to say goodbye before the fairing halves were installed: The fairing was then closed, fastened and sealed: More details can be found on the following ESA website article: ESA – FLEX and Sentinel-3C sealed […]

Last Friday the so called “combined operations” started with the mating of Sentinel-3C satellite on the VESPA+R adaptor upper part (VUP). The satellite was carrefully released from its stand and lifted: It was then transferred to the VESPA+R upper part: It was then mated on the adaptor and the clamp band was tensioned: On Monday, […]

Last week the Sentinel-3C satellite has been successfully fuelled! The satellite ready for fuelling: The propellant handlers are checking the hydrazine drum: The hydrazine drum is hung from a weight cell to accurately measure the propellant mass transferred to the satellite tank: After filling the tank, it was pressurized to about 21 bars. In total […]

This week the satellite has been transferred from the S5C satellite preparation cleanroom to the S5B hazardous processing facility (HPF): On its way, the satellite passed via the S5B airlock where the Vega-C fairing halves and the VESPA+R (dual launch adapter) were stored: The Sentinel-3C logo printed on the fairing: The VESPA+R upper part on […]

This week the satellite standalone tests have been completed! It means that all satellite subystems have been successfully checked. The latest tests were the optical payload tests (OLCI and SLSTR instruments). Then the satellite mechanical and thermal finalization has been performed. The following picture shows the satellite in its current configuration, with also the satellite […]

On 30th of July, AVIO officially announced VV30 launch:AVIO TO LAUNCH COPERNICUS SENTINEL-3C AND FLEX SATELLITES ON SEPTEMBER 14th 2026 ON VEGA C On the same day, we have validated the satellite telemetry link between Kourou and the Mission Control Centre in ESOC. The satellite standalone activities are progressing nominally and according to plan. All […]

Last Friday we visited the ZLV (Zone de Lancement Vega), which is the Vega-C launch pad. The mobile gantry where the launcher is going to be assembled is surrounded by 4 lightning protection towers. On the left, the platform is equipped with rails on which the mobile gantry is retracted a few hours before lift-off: […]

The satellite standalone tests have started this week to verify the various subystems of the satellite. So far some platform subsystems have been successfully tested: View of the clean room with manlift (on the left) and EGSE’s (Electrical Ground Support Equipment, on the right): It was time to take the first family pictures in front […]

The satellite and ground support equipment installation activities continued to prepare the satellite for testing: It was also time to install the Sentinel-3 roll-up banner in the viewing room: The satellite was then oriented in vertical position, lifted by a crane and weighed. Finally it was placed on the Vertical Installation Stand: On Friday 17th […]

The S3C satellite arrived at the S5C satellite preparation facilities: The satellite container was placed in the airlock: After one day of thermal stabilisation the container was opened and the satellite was placed on the horizontal handling device: It was then transfered to the clean room: The satellite is now there, it is time to […]

On 12th of July, the boat transporting Sentinel-3 and Flex satellites arrived in Kourou Pariacabo harbour! The boat entering the Kourou river: On Monday 13th of July the satellites and ground support equipment were unloaded from the boat and transported to the CSG (Centre Spatial Guyanais) launch base in the S5 buildings. Early team arrived […]

Excitement is in the air as the Sentinel-3C team proudly announces a major milestone —after years of meticulous development and rigorous testing, Sentinel-3C is officially on its way to Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana! Departure from TAS Cannes: MN Colibri boat at Nice harbour: Loading of satellite container inside boat: Boat departure from Nice […]