The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
Go to topicThank you for liking
You have already liked this page, you can only like it once!
Equipped with advanced radar technology, the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission delivers continuous, all-weather, day-and-night imaging of Earth’s surface, setting new standards for spaceborne radar. The Sentinel-1 constellation consists of two satellites in the same orbit but positioned 180° apart to optimise global coverage and data delivery.
The first satellite, Sentinel-1A, launched in April 2014, was followed by Sentinel-1B in 2016. Sentinel-1C and Sentinel-1D introduce new capabilities for detecting and monitoring maritime traffic, thanks to their integrated Automatic Identification System (AIS). This system comprises four onboard antennas designed to capture signals transmitted by ships, which include crucial details such as a vessel's identity, location and direction of passage, enabling precise tracking. A notable advantage of this radar-based monitoring is its ability to detect ships even if they are not broadcasting AIS signals. Such ‘silent’ vessels could potentially indicate illegal activity, prompting further investigation by maritime authorities. This enhanced functionality significantly strengthens efforts to ensure maritime safety and security.