Sentinel-1C

The European Space Agency (ESA) launched the Sentinel-1C satellite into orbit in December 2024 as part of the ambitious Copernicus program. It was lofted aboard a Vega-C rocket from the Guiana Space Centre.

Sentinel-1C is equipped with a C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instrument, allowing it to provide all-weather, day-and-night Earth observation capabilities. This radar technology is highly effective for monitoring polar ice, marine environments, and mapping land surfaces.

The satellite ensures the continuity of SAR data previously provided by Sentinel-1A and 1B, filling the critical gap left after Sentinel-1B suffered a technical failure in 2022. It specifically enhances the EU's capacity for emergency management and climate monitoring.

Thanks to its advanced radar, the satellite provides crucial mapping data for emergency response teams dealing with natural disasters like severe floods and earthquakes. It can detect minute structural changes in the earth, which is vital for monitoring earthquake zones.