The European Union’s Copernicus program has expanded its Earth observation capabilities with the successful launch of Sentinel-1C, a cutting-edge radar satellite. Liftoff occurred on December 6, 2024, from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, aboard a Vega C rocket operated by Arianespace.
Built by Thales Alenia Space,a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%),Sentinel-1C joins its predecessor,Sentinel-1A,in orbit. Together, these satellites will provide a continuous stream of high-resolution radar images of Earth’s surface, regardless of weather conditions or time of day.This invaluable data will support a wide range of scientific applications aimed at protecting our planet.
Sentinel-1C’s advanced capabilities will enable scientists to monitor a variety of critical environmental phenomena. These include tracking landslides,identifying earthquake zones,observing volcanic activity,and measuring changes in polar ice cover. The satellite will also play a crucial role in monitoring deforestation, assessing water resource usage, and supporting emergency responders during natural disasters.
A groundbreaking feature of Sentinel-1C is its automatic Identification System (AIS) payload. This technology will enhance maritime safety by improving traffic management, preventing collisions, and monitoring vessels in critical areas.
The Sentinel-1 mission consists of two satellites operating in tandem in a Sun-synchronous orbit. This configuration ensures optimal global coverage with a 12-day repeat cycle. The satellites’ pre-tasking capability allows for consistent data acquisition over extended periods, which is essential for analyzing long-term environmental trends. This data is freely accessible to governments, businesses, and individuals worldwide.
Thales Alenia Space, as the prime contractor for the Sentinel-1 mission on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA), is responsible for the satellites’ design, development, integration, and testing. Each Sentinel-1 satellite is built on the PRIMA spacecraft bus, developed by Thales Alenia Space for the Italian Space Agency (ASI), and carries a C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instrument developed by Airbus Defence & Space. This SAR instrument enables precise mapping at resolutions up to 5 meters and coverage extending up to 400 kilometers.
“I’m delighted with the successful launch of the Sentinel-1C satellite, which will supply vital radar imagery for a broad array of science applications to help preserve our planet,” said Giampiero Di Paolo, deputy CEO, Senior Vice President Observation, Exploration and Navigation at Thales Alenia Space. “The teams at Thales Alenia Space, who are contributing to 11 of the 12 missions in the Copernicus programme, can be proud of this success, which marks a new phase in our collaboration with the European Commission and the European Space Agency.”
With a launch mass of approximately 2.2 metric tons,sentinel-1C will operate in low-Earth orbit at an altitude of 700 kilometers and has a design life of 7.25 years. It will soon be joined by its twin, Sentinel-1D, currently undergoing testing at Thales Alenia Space’s facility in Cannes. Both Sentinel-1C and Sentinel-1D feature a unique mechanism that separates the radar antenna from the spacecraft bus upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, minimizing the creation of orbital debris.
Data from Sentinel-1C will be collected by several European ground stations, including the e-GEOS space center in Matera, Italy, a joint venture between Telespazio (80%) and the Italian space agency (20%).
The European Union’s Copernicus program is revolutionizing our understanding of Earth and its habitat. This cutting-edge Earth observation system provides a wealth of free and reliable data, empowering public authorities, businesses, and citizens worldwide to make informed decisions.
Copernicus utilizes a sophisticated network of satellites and ground-based monitoring stations,including weather stations,ocean buoys,and air quality sensors. This integrated approach ensures thorough and accurate data collection, allowing for a deeper understanding of our planet’s complex systems.
“The world’s most advanced Earth observation system, Copernicus provides continuous, free, and reliable Earth observation data and services to public authorities, companies and citizens around the globe,” the program states.
The program’s ambitious scope enables Europe to anticipate the consequences of global warming and take proactive measures to protect our planet. The European Commission manages Copernicus, with co-funding from the European union and the European Space Agency (ESA). ESA plays a crucial role in coordinating, implementing, and evolving the program, and also operating some of the spacecraft.
Thales Alenia Space, a leading aerospace company, is a key partner in the Copernicus program, contributing significantly to 11 out of the 12 missions. “Sentinel-1 monitors land and sea in all weather conditions, day and night, thanks to its radar capabilities. Sentinel-2 and -3 acquire high-resolution optical imagery over land and coastal waters. Sentinel-4 and -5 are dedicated to meteorology and climatology missions. Sentinel-6 monitors the planet’s oceans,” the company explains.
Thales Alenia Space’s expertise extends beyond satellite construction. the company also developed the Sentinel-2 image ground segment and contributed to the imaging spectrometer on Sentinel-5P and the Poseidon-4 radar altimeter on Sentinel-6. Recognizing the program’s immense potential, Thales Alenia Space secured five contracts in 2020 for six new Copernicus Expansion missions. These missions will focus on measuring atmospheric carbon dioxide, surveying sea ice and snow cover, supporting sustainable farming and biodiversity, observing sea-surface conditions, and strengthening land monitoring and emergency management services.
With over 40 years of experience, Thales Alenia Space is a global leader in satellite-based solutions for telecommunications, navigation, earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science, and orbital infrastructures. The company is committed to leveraging space technology to create a more sustainable future for our planet.
Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), collaborates with Telespazio to form the parent companies’ Space Alliance, offering a comprehensive range of space-related services.
## Expert Interview: Sentinel-1C: A New Eye on Earth
**World-Today-News:** The triumphant launch of Sentinel-1C marks another significant milestone for Europe’s ambitious Copernicus Earth observation program. We’re joined today by Dr. Anya Petrova, an Earth observation specialist and leading expert on SAR satellite technology.Dr. Petrova, can you tell us why Sentinel-1C is such an critically important addition to the program?
**Dr. Petrova:** Thank you for having me.
Sentinel-1C is truly a game-changer for Earth observation. Its advanced radar technology allows us to “see” through clouds,darkness,and even vegetation,providing continuous,all-weather monitoring of our planet.combined with its predecessor Sentinel-1A, it creates a remarkable duo capable of capturing high-resolution images of Earth’s surface every six days, revolutionizing how we understand and manage our habitat.
**World-Today-News:** The Sentinel-1 mission is known for its focus on radar imagery. What are some of the specific applications where this technology excels?
**Dr. Petrova:** SAR imagery is incredibly versatile. Sentinel-1C will play a crucial role in tracking natural disasters like landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, providing vital data for emergency responders. In coastal areas, it will contribute to maritime safety by monitoring ship traffic and identifying potential hazards.
Moreover, its ability to measure changes in ice cover and deforestation rates makes it an invaluable tool for understanding climate change and managing natural resources.
**World-Today-News:** The mention of maritime safety brings up the Automatic Identification System (AIS) payload on Sentinel-1C. Can you elaborate on its significance?
**Dr. petrova:** Absolutely. The AIS payload is a brilliant addition. It allows Sentinel-1C to track vessels in real-time, enhancing maritime safety by identifying potential collisions and illegal activities at sea. This feature is crucial for improving global maritime security and protecting marine environments.
**World-Today-News:** Copernicus prides itself on making data freely accessible to everyone. How does this open data policy contribute to the program’s impact?
**Dr. Petrova:** its revolutionary. Open access to high-quality data empowers a wide range of stakeholders – governments, researchers, businesses, even individuals – to develop innovative solutions for tackling global challenges.From climate change mitigation to disaster response,the possibilities are truly endless.
**World-Today-News:** Looking ahead, what are some of the exciting advancements we can expect from the Sentinel-1 mission with the addition of Sentinel-1C and its upcoming twin, Sentinel-1D?
**Dr.Petrova:** the future looks bright. With Sentinel-1C and D, we’ll have sustained, high-resolution coverage of our planet, allowing for in-depth analysis of long-term environmental trends. This continuous stream of data will provide crucial insights into a vast array of Earth processes, contributing significantly to our understanding of our planet and guiding us towards a more sustainable future.
**World-Today-News:** Dr. Petrova, thank you very much for sharing your expertise on this crucial development in Earth observation.
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