Sentinel-5: accurate satellite data for a healthier future
On the night of August 13, the weather satellite MetOp-SG-A1 was launched with Sentinel-5, for better monitoring of our air quality.
Published on August 13, 2025
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On the night of August 13, the MetOp-SG-A1 weather satellite was successfully launched aboard an Ariane 6 rocket, according to a press release from TNO. The satellite carries the advanced Sentinel-5 measuring instrument, which represents a major step forward in monitoring the air we breathe.
Sentinel-5 is part of the European Copernicus program and provides crucial data for daily air quality forecasts and long-term climate monitoring. The instrument builds on the success of TROPOMI and is designed to deliver the most accurate air quality data ever.
Measuring the composition of the atmosphere
As part of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), the European Space Agency (ESA) uses Sentinel satellites to observe the Earth and collect crucial information: from surface temperature, land cover, and sea surface height to greenhouse gases and air pollution. The data collected is accessible to everyone and is used to make effective policy decisions – improving air quality and understanding, and combating climate change. The Sentinel-5 project, led by Airbus Defence & Space GmbH, aims to collect the most accurate data to date on the composition of the atmosphere.
The predecessor of Sentinel-5, Sentinel-5P, was launched in 2017 and uses TROPOMI: an instrument that has significantly improved our understanding of atmospheric composition, climate interaction, and air pollution. TNO developed the groundbreaking measuring instrument in close collaboration with Dutch and British partners. Airbus Defence & Space GmbH approached TNO and its partners with a new challenge: to ensure that Sentinel-5 collects accurate data for the next 21 years.
Two decades of research
TNO's experts are playing an important role in this development. They developed high-quality optical technology: a UV1 spectrometer for ultra-accurate measurements and two compact, lightweight optical telescopes. These components are robust enough to withstand the forces of a launch – up to 22 times the force of gravity.
To guarantee the data flow for the next 21 years, all components have been built three times. This means two decades of reliable information for scientists, policymakers, and citizens worldwide. Sentinel-5 not only looks at the atmosphere—it helps us build a healthier, more sustainable future.
