Delivering important data on the composition of the atmosphere, Sentinel-5 is set to make a step change in monitoring and forecasting global air quality. It will monitor the composition of Earth’s atmosphere globally on a daily basis by measuring trace gases – such as ozone, sulphur dioxide, methane and carbon monoxide – and aerosols that affect air quality and climate.
The readings will help to both monitor and differentiate between natural and human-produced emissions, providing new insight into the human impact on air quality, ozone and climate. It will also facilitate air-quality predictions, ranging from near-real time, next-day air pollution forecasts to climate forecasts for the coming decades.