The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched the Sentinel 1A satellite, the first of a series of terrestrial observation satellites to be launched in the next decade under the program Copernicus.
The launch of Sentinel 1A was carried out by the European Space Station in French Guyana, where the Russian Soyuz missile departed. In the first 10 flight hours the vessel successfully developed the 12 meter antenna and the solar panels that will supply it with energy.
The satellite, weighing 2.300 pounds, carries an advanced radar system that will allow us to observe the surface of our planet for at least seven years.
Beyond that, it is also equipped with a laser terminal that will serve as a transceiver for the ambitious European EDRS project, which will allow continuous data retransmission via satellites, using laser pulses, drastically reducing the transmission time of large information packets.
EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY, ESA
It is half of the Sentinel 1 mission since the Sentinel 1B twin satellite will be launched next year, followed by the Sentinel 2 and 3 in the same year. These satellites in combination with other instruments will be added to meteorological satellites. 4 & 5), will complete the European ground observation system called Copernicus.
Copernicus, formerly known as Global Monitoring for Environment and Securite (GMES), is the new era in Europe's space program, combined with the Galileo program, the European satellite navigation system to be developed in the coming years.
The data from the five Sentinel will be open to users around the world providing information on the surface of the Earth, the oceans and the atmosphere without any charge.
"The Copernicus program will offer European citizens the most ambitious space and environmental services," said Jean-Jacques Dorden, ESA's Chief Executive Officer.
"Cooperation between the EU and ESA member states in funding space infrastructure, combining our capabilities and the potential of European industry places Europe at the cutting edge of space for the benefit of its citizens," he concluded
