The objectives of the Sentinel Online technical website is to allow potential users to find all the information they need regarding the Sentinel program, the individual Sentinel Missions, their operational focus and the Copernicus Thematic area they support. Particular care was given to explanations of the instruments, the performance of data products including scientific applications, Ground Segment processing, and guidance on accessing Sentinel data.
General information regarding the Copernicus programme can be found on the Copernicus webiste.
General information regarding the Copernicus space component can be found on the ESA website.
Sentinel User Handbooks
Each instrument has its own Handbook that is designed to:
- provide access to the diverse and significant amount of information related to Sentinel Missions and Copernicus in an easy and efficient way
- allow users to discover and understand the benefits provided by Sentinel products to the Copernicus activities and services
- guide users in their navigation of the Handbook, helping them go from high-level information down to very specific technical information
- provide comprehensive information about Sentinel Missions, including external links
Using the Handbook
The Handbook focuses on providing background information related to the acquisition, dissemination and access to Sentinel data for each mission. Each Handbook is structured to allow visitors to choose the relevant level of detail they require, and enable them to navigate in a logical flow from high level topics such as Mission Overview and Thematic Areas, towards increasingly detailed content about data quality and access to Sentinel data.
The Mission Guide is an overview of the mission, its objectives, the satellite, its payload, ground segment, generated data products and related news. It provides support for potential users of Copernicus services, as well as being of interest to the wider user community.
The User Guide is a high level description of the instruments, coverage and acquisition, and available product levels. It also provides information on the relevant applications of each instrument, the format of the products and the software tools required to interpret the data. This information has been harmonised for all Sentinel missions and can be accessed under each category via the panel on the right of each instrument User Guide page.
The Technical Guide is a point of engagement between ESA and the Sentinel technical user community. The detailed information available in the Technical Guide is intended for expert users such as academics and industrial software engineers who have previous experience working with similar EO missions and in-depth knowledge of data manipulation and management.
The Sentinel Data Access section provides high level information about the Copernicus Space Component Data Access (CSCDA) and guides interested parties through the process of registration to become a Copernicus user. It also explains Sentinel products availability and access mechanisms, and how Sentinels fit into the Data Access Portfolio as Contributing Missions.