Air quality | 2017-2018

In order to ensure that products delivered by air quality satellite sensors meet user requirements in terms of accuracy, precision, and fitness for purpose, it is essential to develop a robust validation strategy relying on well-established and traceable reference measurements.

On October 13, 2017, ESA launched Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P), the first mission dedicated to atmospheric composition in the series of Sentinel missions, as part of the European program for Earth Observation, Copernicus.

The atmosphere above Kinshasa is particularly interesting because emissions from the tropical forest mix with urban pollution. BIRA-IASB has initiated a collaboration with the University of Kinshasa.

The camera’s ultimate goal is the monitoring of NO2 emissions produced by industrial sites, as well as ambient levels in the urban environment.

TROPOMI is able to measure atmospheric trace gases with a remarkable level of detail, on a daily basis and on a global scale.