The latest satellite for the European Commission’s Copernicus environmental programme has left France bound for the Plesetsk launch site in Russia and launch late next month. Sentinel-3A is scheduled for liftoff on a Rockot launcher at the end of December. Carrying a suite of state-of-the-art instruments, Sentinel-3A is set to provide an unprecedented step forward in the Copernicus marine, land, atmosphere and climate change services. Sentinel-3A wrapped up The satellite began its two-day journey from Thales Alenia Space in Cannes to Nice airport by lorry during the night. An Antonov aircraft will now carry the precious cargo to Arkhangelsk in Russia after a stopover in Moscow to clear paperwork. At Arkhangelsk, Sentinel and its support equipment will be put on lorries before reaching the cosmodrome by rail.