Bonjour Cannes!

The Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite, has arrived safely at Thales Alenia Space’s Cannes plant on the French Riviera after being shipped from Rome, Italy.

Sentinel-1C is the third Sentinel-1 satellite to be launched as part of Europe’s Copernicus programme. It will continue the critical task of delivering radar imagery for a wide range of services, applications, science and societal benefits.

The satellite successfully completed all integration tests this summer in Rome followed by environmental tests including thermal-vacuum and mechanical vibration. These tests are designed to reproduce in-orbit thermal conditions, as well as the mechanical and acoustic stress Sentinel-1 will experience during launch.

It will now undergo a final series of tests in Cannes, including Radio Frequency functional checks in the facility’s anechoic chamber. Sentinel-1C is scheduled to lift off on ESA’s new Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana in the first half of 2023.