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Sentinel-1C Radar Satellite Launched

The Sentinel-1C satellite launched on a VEGA-C rocket and will orbit 700km above the Earth’s surface. Part of Europe’s Copernicus programme, it will use advanced radar technology to provide continuous imaging over land and sea, day and night, and even through cloud cover. 

The UK’s Earth Observation industry is integral to the Sentinel 1 satellites, with the support of the UK Space Agency. 

Airbus Defence and Space (Portsmouth) developed the electronics subsystem of the key Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instrument aboard the satellite. Honeywell UK was responsible for the receiver of the Automated Identification System (AIS) payload, which will be key for maritime surveillance capabilities. Additionally, the battery for Sentinel-1C was supplied by Enersys ABSL (Abingdon). 

Science Minister Lord Vallance said:

The successful launch of this new satellite will further strengthen the Copernicus programme, which continues to collect vital long-term data allowing us to better understand our planet, respond to natural disasters and tackle global challenges like climate change.

Once it reaches its intended orbit, Sentinel-1C will synchronise with Sentinel-1A which is already in space. These satellites will work in partnership with each other to deliver the Sentinel-1 mission, imaging the Earth and generating large amounts of data that is fed into the various services provided by Copernicus.   

Unlike research satellites, Sentinel-1C imagery is designed to sustain a reliable operational service, with consistent and long-term data collection for key applications. This is crucial for land and maritime monitoring, tracking of sea ice, emergency response to flooding and earthquake events, tracking climate variables and assessing the impacts of climate change. 

Speaking with the UK Space Agency this week, Prof John Remedios, Director of the National Centre for Earth Observation said: 

The advent of operational radar satellites has been a huge boost to our ability to observe hazardous and extreme environments, for example where people are vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanoes.  

Sentinel-1C will renew the extensive coverage and clever products which result from combining data from two radar satellites operating at the same time, allowing scientists and businesses to measure ground motion from glaciers to cities.”

As well as its radar instrument, Sentinel-1C will also carry a new Automatic Identification System (AIS), developed by the International Maritime Organisation to help ships avoid collisions at sea. The combination of radar images and AIS signals improves the monitoring of global shipping traffic and can also help detect piracy and other illegal activities.  

This latest milestone for Copernicus follows the successful launch of another satellite – Sentinel-2C – in September this year. This satellite is already providing high-resolution imagery and data – it is a powerful tool that enhances the UK and Europe’s capabilities in monitoring land and vegetation.