39634 - SENTINEL-1A

First of a pair of satellites equipped with an imaging Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to provide an all-weather day-and-night supply of imagery. The satellite is part of ESA's Copernicus constellation, the EU contribution to GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems). Precise launch time: 21:02:26 UTC, separated from the launch vehicle at 21:25:50 UTC. The Fregat stage of the Soyuz re-entered above the southern Atlantic Ocean around 22:45 UTC and was not catalogued.

Sentinel-1 is a two satellite constellation with the prime objectives of Land and Ocean monitoring. The goal of the mission is to provide C-Band SAR data continuity following the retirement of ERS-2 and the end of the Envisat mission.

To accomplish this, the satellites will carry a C-SAR sensor, which offers medium and high resolution imaging in all weather conditions. The C-SAR is capable of obtaining night imagery and detecting small movement on the ground, which makes it useful for land and sea monitoring.

Facts in Brief

Launch Date: 2014-04-03
Launch Vehicle: Soyuz
Launch Site: Kourou, French Guiana
Mass: 2280.0 kg