A new radar satellite supported by the UK was launched into space
from French Guiana at 9:20pm GMT on Thursday 5 December.
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.
Science Minister 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.
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).
Justin Byrne, Head of Earth Observation and Science at Airbus
Defence and Space UK, said:
Airbus in the UK has designed and manufactured the entire family
of radar electronic subsystems for the Sentinel 1 satellites;
this continues the UK provision of key instrument elements for
all European Space Agency and European Union SAR satellites in
orbit.
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.
Dr Chandra Taposeea-Fisher, Chair of EO Committee, UKspace trade
association, said:
The SAR instruments on the Sentinel-1 satellites have contributed
greatly to the monitoring of Arctic sea-ice extent, routine
sea-ice mapping, marine environment surveillance, land-surface
motion risks, forest, water & soil management, as well as
contributing to humanitarian aid and crisis
situations.
Data from the Sentinel-1 satellites has been used throughout the
UK EO Community, by government, industry and academia. We welcome
the successful launch of Sentinel-1C, opening a new chapter in
the EO world.
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.
, Chief
Scientific Adviser for Defra, said:
Copernicus was a catalyst to the widespread uptake and use of
Earth Observation to aid evidence-based policy delivery,
monitoring and enforcement activities.
The launch of Sentinel-1C will continue to support the National
Forestry Inventory; flood response mapping and detecting illegal
fishing.
We are also researching how Interferometric SAR techniques can
show ground deformation in peat bogs caused by fluctuations in
water storage, sometimes known as bog breathing. This will help
us better understand peat-bog health and carbon storage
potential.
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.
