Farewell to Sentinel-1A, with a final have a look at Melbourne

Europe’s Sentinel-1A artificial aperture radar satellite tv for pc has collected its last knowledge.

A little bit over 12 years after it was launched, the Sentinel-1A mission formally got here to an finish on 29 June.

One of the venerable spacecraft’s final duties was to make a strip-mode picture of Melbourne (see beneath).

Originally designed with a seven-year lifetime, the satellite tv for pc exceeded all expectations… a testomony to the individuals who constructed and operated it.

And that longevity got here in very helpful when its sibling spacecraft, Sentinel-1B, suffered a significant failure in 2021, forcing Sentinel-1A to step into the breach.

Now, with the -1C and -1D spacecraft in orbit and dealing away, the time has come to say goodbye to -1A.

“As we bid farewell to this remarkable satellite, we celebrate an extraordinary legacy and look forward with confidence as Sentinel-1C and Sentinel-1D carry that legacy into the years ahead,” mentioned Simonetta Cheli.

Sentinel-1A’s extraordinary legacy

“Sentinel-1A holds a special place for all of us,” mentioned ESA’s Sentinel-1 Mission Manager, Nuno Miranda.

“As the first satellite of the Copernicus program, it paved the way for new approaches in both operations and science. Over the years, it has weathered several disruptions and challenges,” he mentioned.

“After years of excellent service, Sentinel-1A has earned a well-deserved retirement.

“The team is now preparing for the disposal phase, which is expected to begin during the [northern] summer.”

Carrying their C-band artificial aperture radars, the Sentinel-1D and Sentinel-1C satellites are absolutely operational in Earth orbit, spaced 180° aside.

And as Spatial Source reported final month, contracts have been signed for work to start on the following technology of Sentinel-1 spacecraft.