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The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing for an important launch as the Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite is set to soar into orbit aboard the Vega-C rocket. Liftoff is scheduled for December 4, 2024, at 22:20 CET from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. This mission marks the return to flight for the Vega-C rocket, demonstrating Europe's ongoing commitment to securing independent ac 
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Nov 30, 2024
The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing for an important launch as the Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite is set to soar into orbit aboard the Vega-C rocket. Liftoff is scheduled for December 4, 2024, at 22:20 CET from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. This mission marks the return to flight for the Vega-C rocket, demonstrating Europe's ongoing commitment to securing independent access to space.
Sentinel-1C will continue the mission's legacy by providing advanced radar imagery to monitor Earth's evolving environment. This critical data supports applications in climate science, environmental management, and disaster response.
The launch is a significant milestone for Vega-C following the completion of enhancements to the Zefiro-40 motor. These improvements were rigorously tested in 2024 to ensure the rocket's reliability for this and future missions. The launch also builds on the success of the Ariane 6 rocket earlier this year, reinforcing Europe's capability to place satellites into orbit across a range of payload classes.
Copernicus Sentinel-1C
The Sentinel-1 program is a cornerstone of the EU's Copernicus Earth observation initiative. Utilizing a pair of identical satellites positioned 180 degrees apart in orbit, Sentinel-1 optimizes global data collection for a wide range of applications.
Sentinel-1C will join Sentinel-1A in orbit, restoring the two-satellite configuration after the decommissioning of Sentinel-1B in 2022. The mission will soon expand with the addition of Sentinel-1D, scheduled for launch in 2025. Sentinel-1 satellites feature C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR), enabling high-resolution imaging through cloud cover and in any light conditions, critical for monitoring environmental changes, land subsidence, and ocean patterns.
In addition to its radar capabilities, Sentinel-1C introduces an Automatic Identification System (AIS) to enhance maritime safety by tracking vessels beyond the range of traditional radar systems. This system assigns unique IDs to ships and maps their movements in real-time, contributing to collision avoidance and navigation support.
Vega-C
Vega-C is a versatile rocket designed to carry payloads of up to 2300 kilograms into space. Standing 35 meters tall and weighing 210 tonnes at liftoff, the rocket is powered by three solid-propellant stages and a fourth liquid-propellant stage for precise satellite deployment.
An evolution of the Vega rocket family, Vega-C offers improved performance, greater payload capacity, and enhanced competitiveness. ESA owns the Vega-C program, with Avio serving as the prime contractor, and Arianespace providing launch services.
This launch marks a return to flight for Vega-C following its initial commercial mission in 2022, which encountered a nozzle issue in its Zefiro-40 motor. The redesigned nozzle has undergone successful testing, confirming its readiness for this flight. Vega-C complements the Ariane family, ensuring Europe maintains independent and versatile access to space.
Related Links
Vega-C at ESA
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com