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A new satellite to observe the (polluted) air we breathe from space
The first images from Sentinel-4 have arrived, the satellite that will allow us to monitor Europe’s air quality from space.
Europe’s new Copernicus Sentinel-4 satellite sends back its first images from space, marking a major milestone for air quality monitoring in Europe.
A fixed observatory for air quality
Launched in July 2025, Sentinel-4 is part of the first European space mission to provide hourly observations related to air quality. Unlike polar-orbiting satellites, which pass over the entire planet at low altitude, Sentinel-4 operates from a geostationary orbit at around 36,000 kilometers above Earth, continuously observing the same region: Europe and North Africa.
The first images released by the European Space Agency (ESA) show the distribution of major air pollutants over the European continent, including nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone.
Once fully operational (it is currently in the initial “commissioning” phase), the satellite will deliver crucial data for atmospheric research, climate modeling, and European environmental policies. Sentinel-4 is part of the broader Copernicus programme, developed by the European Commission and ESA to provide open-source data on Earth’s environment. Its observations will support the air quality forecasting services of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), contributing to public health prevention and urban planning.
With Sentinel-4, Europe will be able to rely on a continuous, high-resolution atmospheric observation system—an important step forward toward a more accurate understanding of the air we breathe and the impacts of human activities on the climate.
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