Congratulations to the European Space Agency - ESA on the successful launch of #Sentinel1D! Another milestone in the #Copernicus #Sentinel1 mission, which delivers all-weather, day-and-night radar images of Earth to support disaster response, environmental protection and climate monitoring. The Leonardo Group plays a key role in the European Copernicus programme. Together with its joint ventures Thales Alenia Space, Telespazio and e-GEOS, #Leonardo contributes to the design and production of satellites, the development of advanced sensors and instruments, and the management and analysis of satellite data. Thales Alenia Space built Sentinel-1D at its facilities in Rome, Milan and L’Aquila, while #LeonardoSpace supplied the attitude control sensors developed in Campi Bisenzio (Florence) and the power units produced in Nerviano (Milan) that supply the radar and ensure the continuous availability of images. Telespazio Germany supported the launch of Sentinel-1D and provides assistance during the Launch and Early Operations Phase (LEOP) with mission operations, ground segment services and software coordination. The satellite’s data will also be acquired by several European stations, including Leonardo’s Matera Space Centre, operated by e-GEOS. Massimo C Comparini, Managing Director of Leonardo Space, stated, "Earth observation is a vital and strategic domain for understanding and addressing the Planet's global challenges, while strengthening Europe’s technological leadership. The Copernicus programme – the world’s most ambitious Earth observation initiative – embodies this vision. The addition of Sentinel-1D, completing the first-generation radar constellation, confirms its robustness and capacity for innovation. Together with our joint ventures Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space, Leonardo has contributed to Copernicus since its inception, providing advanced technologies, products, and leadership in spaceborne radar systems, as well as geospatial services through e-GEOS, our joint venture with the Italian Space Agency (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana). This ongoing commitment reinforces our role as a key partner in Earth observation – from the development of satellite and instruments to the management of services and data analysis – along a path increasingly shaped by the integration of Space and digital technologies."
🛰 Copernicus Sentinel-1D is in space and well: we have a mission! At 22:02 CET on 4 November, Sentinel-1D was successfully launched from Kourou aboard an Ariane 6 rocket! About fifty minutes after separation, at 23:22 CET, the KSAT – Kongsberg Satellite Services's Troll ground station in Antarctica acquired the satellite's signal. A couple of seconds later, the mission control team at ESOC received confirmation that solar array deployment was underway and the batteries were charging! Over the next few days, the team will prepare the satellite for the beginning of operations by completing the Launch and Early Orbit (LEOP) phase. Congratulations to all the teams and partners involved! Read more here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eNpXXP_J 📷Liftoff: ESA - S. Corvaja 📷Flight Operations Director Ian Shurmer: ESA - J. Mai 📷Liftoff Arc: ESA - M. Pédoussaut ARIANESPACE European Space Agency - ESA European Commission Thales Alenia Space Centre National d'Études Spatiales
It is a pleasure for us to contribute once again to Sentinel across ESA centres, ground stations, and software teams. A great group effort!🚀