Thales Alenia Space’s Sentinel-1C Satellite Launches to Advance Earth Observation and Climate Research

Sentinel-1C preparation for fit check ©Thales Alenia Space_ImaginE

(IN BRIEF) Thales Alenia Space’s Sentinel-1C satellite successfully launched aboard a Vega C rocket from Kourou, French Guiana, enhancing the Copernicus Earth Observation Programme. Joining its predecessor, Sentinel-1A, the satellite delivers high-resolution radar imagery for environmental monitoring, disaster response, and maritime safety. Equipped with innovative features like an Automatic Identification System and a debris-reduction mechanism, Sentinel-1C supports sustainability in space and on Earth. Developed in collaboration with Leonardo and ESA, the satellite will provide critical data for global use, reinforcing Thales Alenia Space’s pivotal role in advancing Earth observation and climate research.

(PRESS RELEASE) KOUROU, 6-Dec-2024 — /6EuropaWire/ — Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has achieved a major milestone with the successful launch of the Sentinel-1C satellite aboard a Vega C rocket, operated by Arianespace from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Part of the European Union’s Copernicus Programme, this advanced satellite aims to enhance Earth observation capabilities while setting new benchmarks for sustainability in space.

Advancing the Copernicus Mission

Sentinel-1C joins its predecessor, Sentinel-1A, in orbit, forming a crucial part of the Copernicus Programme managed by the European Commission and co-funded by the European Space Agency (ESA). The satellite provides high-resolution radar imagery of Earth’s surface, day and night, and in all weather conditions, supporting a range of applications, including climate research, disaster management, and maritime safety.

For the first time in the Sentinel-1 series, Sentinel-1C is equipped with an Automatic Identification System (AIS) payload to monitor maritime traffic, enhance collision avoidance, and track vessels in critical zones. This new capability adds a vital layer to the satellite’s contribution to global safety and environmental protection.

Sentinel-1C © ESA

Breakthrough Features for Environmental Impact

Operating in a Sun-synchronous orbit with a 12-day repeat cycle, Sentinel-1C ensures consistent global coverage, essential for long-term monitoring of environmental trends. It delivers precise radar mapping at up to 5-meter resolution with a coverage range of 400 kilometers. Key applications include monitoring landslides, deforestation, polar ice variations, and water resource usage, as well as supporting emergency responders during natural disasters.

Reflecting its commitment to sustainability, Sentinel-1C incorporates a patented debris-mitigation mechanism, which will separate the radar antenna from the spacecraft bus during re-entry to reduce orbital debris. This feature underscores Thales Alenia Space’s leadership in combining technological innovation with sustainable practices in space exploration.

Collaborative Development

Thales Alenia Space served as the prime contractor for Sentinel-1C, overseeing its design, development, and testing. The radar system was developed by Airbus Defence & Space, while Leonardo contributed critical components, including attitude sensors and power units to ensure continuous operation. Data collected by Sentinel-1C will be processed by several European facilities, including the e-GEOS space center in Matera, Italy.

A Commitment to Earth and Space Sustainability

“This successful launch represents another milestone in our partnership with the European Commission and ESA,” said Giampiero Di Paolo, Deputy CEO and Senior Vice President of Observation, Exploration, and Navigation at Thales Alenia Space. “Sentinel-1C will provide critical radar data for scientific applications that support environmental protection and sustainability on Earth, reinforcing our leadership in advancing innovative and sustainable space technologies.”

With a design life of 7.25 years, Sentinel-1C will soon be joined in orbit by Sentinel-1D, which is currently undergoing final testing at Thales Alenia Space’s facility in Cannes. Together, these satellites will provide public authorities, businesses, and citizens worldwide with free and open access to essential data, empowering informed decisions to protect our planet.

About Copernicus

Copernicus is the Earth observation component of the European Union’s Space Programme, looking at our planet and its environment to benefit all European citizens. It provides accurate, timely and easily accessible information to improve the management of the environment, understand and mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure civil security. 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.

Copernicus comprises several families of satellites and a series of monitoring networks (e.g. ground based weather stations, ocean buoys and air quality monitoring networks) to provide robust integrated information and to calibrate and validate the data from satellites.

The satellites are built by European prime contractors for ESA. A program of this scale enables Europe to better anticipate the consequences of global warming so that we can safeguard our planet.

The programme is managed by the European Commission and is co-funded by the European Union and ESA. The European Space Agency is responsible for the coordination, implementation and evolution of the programme, as well as the operations of some spacecrafts.

Thales Alenia Space, a key Copernicus partner

Thales Alenia Space is a major contributor to 11 of the Copernicus programme’s 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. As well as being prime contractor for the Sentinel-1 and -3 satellite families, Thales Alenia Space also supplied the Sentinel-2 image ground segment and helped build the imaging spectrometer on Sentinel-5P and the Poseidon-4 radar altimeter on Sentinel-6. In 2020, Thales Alenia Space was awarded five contracts for the six new Copernicus Expansion missions, as prime contractor for the CIMR, ROSE-L and CHIME satellites and supplier of the CRISTAL and CO2M mission payloads. These new satellites will measure human-induced atmospheric carbon dioxide, survey sea ice and snow cover, support new optimized services for sustainable farming and biodiversity, observe sea-surface temperature and salinity as well as sea ice density and strengthen land monitoring and emergency management services.

ABOUT THALES ALENIA SPACE
Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design and build satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the parent companies’ Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of approximately €2.2 billion in 2023 and has around 8,600 employees in 8 countries, with 16 sites in Europe.

Media contact:

Cédric Leurquin
Deputy Group Communications Director
+33 (0)6 31 01 53 25
cedric.leurquin@thalesgroup.com

SOURCE: Thales