Complementing the Ariane family to launch all types of payloads into their desired orbits, Vega-C ensures that Europe has versatile and independent access to space. ESA owns the Vega-C programme, working with Avio as prime contractor and design authority. Arianespace will serve as the launch service provider for the launch of Sentinel-1C. This launch marks Vega-C’s return to flight, a key step in restoring Europe’s independent access to space.

Carrying advanced radar technology to provide an all-weather, day-and-night supply of imagery of Earth’s surface, the ambitious Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission has raised the bar for spaceborne radar. Copernicus Sentinel-1C is the third Sentinel-1 satellite to be launched. While the European Union is at the helm of Copernicus, ESA develops, builds and launches the dedicated Sentinel satellites.