Watch dwell: Vega-C to launch Sentinel-1C

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The Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite tv for pc is prepared for liftoff! Tune in to ESA WebTV on 4 December from 22:00 CET to look at the satellite tv for pc soar into area on a Vega-C rocket to be launched from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Sentinel-1C is scheduled to liftoff at 22:20 CET.

The launch would be the return to flight for Vega-C, Europe’s light-weight, high-performance rocket – additional securing Europe’s autonomy in area after the profitable launch of Ariane 6 final summer season.

As soon as in orbit, Sentinel-1C will prolong the Sentinel-1 mission’s legacy, delivering radar imagery to watch Earth’s altering setting to help a various vary of functions and scientific analysis.

Comply with the launch dwell from Kourou (all occasions CET)

Comply with the launch dwell on ESA WebTV on 4 December from 22:00 CET.

Time in CET	Time after liftoff (hours:minutes:seconds)	Event
22:00		Programme begins
22:20	00:00:00	Liftoff
22:22	00:02:21	Vega-C first stage P120C separation
22:25	00:04:32	Vega-C second stage Zefiro-40 separation
22:25	00:05:03	Fairing jettison
22:27	00:07:08	Vega-C third stage Zefiro-9 separation
22:28	00:08:16	First ignition of Vega-C upper stage, AVUM+
22:54-23:11		Programme break
23:14	00:53:27	Second ignition of upper stage, AVUM+
23:17-00:01		Programme break
00:01	01:40:29	Third ignition of upper stage, AVUM+
00:04	01:43:51	Sentinel-1C separation
00:16	01:56	Acquisition of signal
00:40	02:19	Press conference
01:25	03:04	End of press conference

About Copernicus Sentinel-1C

The Sentinel-1 mission, the first in the family of Copernicus, is based on a constellation of two identical satellites flying in the same orbit but 180° apart, to optimise global coverage and data delivery for Copernicus – the Earth observation component of the EU’s Space Programme.

Sentinel-1A was the first satellite in the series, launched in April 2014, followed by the launch of Sentinel-1B in 2016. The Sentinel-1B mission came to an end in August 2022 after experiencing a technical fault that rendered it unable to acquire data. The satellite has been successfully de-orbited and will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere within 25 years.

Sentinel-1C, along with its sibling Sentinel-1A, will return the mission to its full potential as a two-satellite constellation. Sentinel-1A is then due to be replaced by Sentinel-1D later next year.

Copernicus: Sentinel-1

As an advanced radar mission, Copernicus Sentinel-1 can image the surface of Earth through cloud and rain and regardless of whether it is day or night. Sentinel-1 carries a C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instrument, which allows it to capture high-resolution imagery of Earth’s surface.

This powerful radar system operates in several modes, including wide swath and high-resolution, providing detailed data on land subsidence, ice movements and ocean conditions.

The new Sentinel-1C satellite will also carry a new Automatic Identification System (AIS). Developed by the International Maritime Organisation, this system is designed to help ships avoid collisions, particularly when they are too far from land-based radar systems. This technology assigns a unique ID to each vessel and tracks its position and movements in real-time, creating a virtual map of the ships at sea.

More information about Copernicus Sentinel-1

About Vega-C

Vega-C rocket with Sentinel-1C satellite artist’s impression

Europe’s Vega-C rocket can launch 2300 kg into space, such as small scientific and Earth observation spacecraft. At 35 m tall, Vega-C weighs 210 tonnes on the launch pad and reaches orbit with three solid-propellant-powered stages before the fourth liquid-propellant stage takes over for precise placement of satellites into their desired orbit around Earth. Vega-C is the evolution of the Vega family of rockets and delivers increased performance, greater payload volume and improved competitiveness.

Complementing the Ariane family to launch all types of payloads into their desired orbits, Vega-C ensures that Europe has versatile and independent access to space. ESA owns the Vega-C programme, working with Avio as prime contractor and design authority. Arianespace will function the launch service supplier for the launch of Sentinel-1C.

This launch marks Vega-C’s return to flight, a key step in restoring Europe’s impartial entry to area. The primary industrial flight in December 2022 failed as a consequence of a nozzle concern in its Zefiro-40 motor. Since then, an improved nozzle was designed and constructed and the whole Zefiro-40 stage has undergone two profitable firing exams, in Might and October 2024, which demonstrated the motor’s potential to carry out reliably below totally different stress circumstances and burn durations. These exams have confirmed the motor’s readiness, clearing the trail for Vega-C’s upcoming flight.

Cannot anticipate launch day? Print out these directions and template to make your individual Vega-C paper mannequin.

Extra details about Vega-C