ESA: Media invited to follow the launch of the 2nd satellite of the Sentinel-1 mission from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 22 April

PARIS, 18-Apr-2016 — /EuropaWire/ — The second satellite of the Sentinel-1 mission – Sentinel-1B – is set for launch from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 22 April at 21:02 GMT (23:02 CEST). Media representatives are invited to follow the launch online or attend the main launch event at ESA’s ESRIN centre for Earth observation in Frascati, Italy.

The Sentinel satellites deliver the wealth of data and imagery that are central to the EU’s Copernicus programme.

By offering a set of key information services for a broad range of applications, this global monitoring programme is a step change in the way we manage our environment, understand and tackle the effects of climate change, and safeguard everyday lives.

The Sentinel-1 mission carries an advanced radar to provide an all-weather, day-and-night supply of imagery of Earth’s surface.

The first in the two-satellite mission – Sentinel-1A – was launched in April 2014 and its data have already been exploited for a range of services related to the monitoring of Arctic sea-ice extent, routine sea-ice mapping, surveillance of the marine environment, including oil-spill monitoring and ship detection for maritime security, monitoring land surface for motion risks, mapping for forest, water and soil management, and mapping to support humanitarian aid and crisis situations.

Once its sister Sentinel-1B is in orbit, the mission will be able to image every place on Earth every six days – and in some places even more frequently – offering increased coverage for operational and scientific applications.

For the latest news and information on this mission, visit: www.esa.int/Sentinel-1

Launch event

Doors open at 20:00 CEST. ESA managers, representatives from the European Commission and data users will discuss the socio-economic impact of the Sentinel-1 mission and Copernicus programme, followed by live coverage of the launch from French Guiana.

Media should register by Tuesday, 19 April by email to: Valeria.Andreoni@esa.int

Any last-minute change in the launch date will be announced on our website at:www.esa.int/Sentinel-1 and via Twitter @ESA_EO

Coverage

ESA TV 

ESA TV will provide broadcasters with live satellite relay of the launch.

Video material is available in the video archive, complemented with new productions according to the following schedule: Fly your satellite, 15 April; Latest from Kourou, 21 April.

Details at http://esatv.esa.int/Television

Website

ESA’s Portal will cover the launch live, providing the videostream and updates of the launch at

www.esa.int/esalive and www.livestream.com/eurospaceagency

For a collection of videos, including interviews with key team members and animations, visit: www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/Missions/Sentinel-1

Social media

Twitter: @ESA_EO, @ESAoperations, @ESA and the hashtag #Sentinel1

Blogs: ESA Earth Observation launch campaigns http://blogs.esa.int/eolaunches/Mission Operations  http://blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/ and www.esa.int/Sentinel-1

Flickr: http://flickr.com/europeanspaceagency

Still images

The images from the mission can be found at

www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Missions/Sentinel-1 and
http://esa-photolibrary.com/

About the European Space Agency
The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.

ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

ESA has 22 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, of whom 20 are Member States of the EU.

ESA has established formal cooperation with seven other Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.

By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes.

ESA develops the launchers, spacecraft and ground facilities needed to keep Europe at the forefront of global space activities.

Today, it develops and launches satellites for Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications and astronomy, sends probes to the far reaches of the Solar System and cooperates in the human exploration of space.

Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int

For further information:

ESA Media Relations Office
Email: media@esa.int
Tel: +33 1 53 69 72 99