Measuring air quality with Copernicus

Bern, 12. On 13.10.2017 the European Space Agency ESA will launch the sixth satellite, the Sentinel-5P, in a series of missions, which form the Space component of Copernicus, the EU's Global Monitoring for Environment and Security System. Sentinel-5P will gather data for global observations of the atmosphere and measure trace gases and aerosols, for example, which influence air quality and the climate. Switzerland's participation in the ESA programme to develop the Sentinels allows Switzerland to secure procurement contracts and gain access to data. In addition, because Switzerland is a member of the ESA, it is able to work with international partners and share in decision-making at the intergovernmental level. Swiss companies were actively involved in developing Sentinel-5P.