The third satellite in the Sentinel-1 mission, Sentinel-1C is part of the European environmental monitoring programme Copernicus, a joint initiative of the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA).
Sentinel-1C will provide vital radar imaging for a wide range of scientific applications aimed at protecting our Planet. The data will be used for a wide range of applications: from monitoring polar ice cover and the Arctic environment to detecting landslides, mapping forests, monitoring water resources and land use, to supporting rescuers and search and rescue teams in the event of a natural disaster.
Data from the Sentinel-1C satellite will be collected from several European centres and from the e-GEOS Space Centre in Matera, Italy.
Leonardo, together with the Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space joint ventures, plays a leading role in the European Copernicus programme as a fundamental partner in the construction of satellites and of important payloads and equipment, as well as the provision of satellite services and applications for the programme.
Telespazio is one of Copernicus' key industrial partners, working in the programme's high-tech systems, operations, applications and services. The company's contribution to the Sentinel-1C mission is included among the Copernicus Coordination Desk tasks assigned by ESA in 2022 to Telespazio as prime contractor of an international consortium of companies.
Under this assignment, Telespazio coordinates the operations of all Copernicus satellite constellations: Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, Sentinel-3 and Sentinel-5P. As was the case during the launch of Sentinel-2C on 5 September, the company coordinates preparation and monitoring activities during the launch and integration of nominal operations following in-orbit tests. Telespazio also provides support in the management of any anomalies that may occur during the launch and in-orbit tests, and ensures end-to-end monitoring of operations following completion of testing as part of its Coordination Desk activities.