Author Topic: Vega C VV25 - Sentinel-1C - 3 December 2024 (21:20 UTC)  (Read 19914 times)

Offline GWR64

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Re: ESA - Sentinel-1C updates & discussion
« Reply #20 on: 11/25/2023 06:50 pm »
Does anyone know if this date is current?

https://elib.dlr.de/197922/
Quote
Independent Calibration of the Sentinel-1C SAR System

ASCII Citation
Klenk, Patrick und Giez, Jakob und Schmidt, Kersten und Nannini, Matteo und Schwerdt, Marco (2024) Independent Calibration of the Sentinel-1C SAR System. European Conference on Synthetic Aperture Radar (EUSAR), 2024-04-23 - 2024-04-26, Munich, Germany. (eingereichter Beitrag)

Dieses Archiv kann nicht den Volltext zur Verfügung stellen.

Kurzfassung
Sentinel-1C will be the third satellite of the Sentinel-1 mission. To be launched in early 2024, it will ensure seamless continuity of C-band SAR data for global monitoring of the Earth surface in the framework of the COPERNICUS program. In parallel to the commissioning of Sentinel-1C by the European Space Agency (ESA), an independent verification of the system calibration will be performed by DLR under an ESA contract. Based on an efficient calibration strategy, this paper describes the different activities to be performed by DLR and may present initial results obtained during the commissioning phase (CP) of Sentinel-1C.
...

That would fit this information

CEOS EO HANDBOOK – AGENCY SUMMARY - ESA:
https://database.eohandbook.com/database/agencysummary.aspx?agencyID=8
Quote
Approved Missions timeline
Mission                      Launch   
Sentinel-1 C              Mar 2024   
...

and, same source:
Sentinel-1 A       EOL Date   Apr 2024
https://database.eohandbook.com/database/missionsummary.aspx?missionID=575
« Last Edit: 11/25/2023 06:54 pm by GWR64 »

Offline GWR64

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Re: ESA - Sentinel-1C updates & discussion
« Reply #21 on: 11/26/2023 09:51 am »
Does anyone know if this date is current?

https://elib.dlr.de/197922/
Quote
Independent Calibration of the Sentinel-1C SAR System

ASCII Citation
Klenk, Patrick und Giez, Jakob und Schmidt, Kersten und Nannini, Matteo und Schwerdt, Marco (2024) Independent Calibration of the Sentinel-1C SAR System. European Conference on Synthetic Aperture Radar (EUSAR), 2024-04-23 - 2024-04-26, Munich, Germany. (eingereichter Beitrag)

Dieses Archiv kann nicht den Volltext zur Verfügung stellen.

Kurzfassung
Sentinel-1C will be the third satellite of the Sentinel-1 mission. To be launched in early 2024, it will ensure seamless continuity of C-band SAR data for global monitoring of the Earth surface in the framework of the COPERNICUS program. In parallel to the commissioning of Sentinel-1C by the European Space Agency (ESA), an independent verification of the system calibration will be performed by DLR under an ESA contract. Based on an efficient calibration strategy, this paper describes the different activities to be performed by DLR and may present initial results obtained during the commissioning phase (CP) of Sentinel-1C.
...



This is from October 16, 2023, I didn't see it, was hidden at the bottom.
The report on the Zefiro-40 test failure was published on October 2.
So it should be known that the Vega-C will not be ready in Q1 2024.
Conclusion, there is already a launch order with "the other provider"?  ???
« Last Edit: 11/26/2023 09:52 am by GWR64 »

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Re: ESA - Sentinel-1C updates & discussion
« Reply #22 on: 01/11/2024 02:25 pm »
https://twitter.com/ESpaceflight/status/1745450243158876569

Quote
ESA director of space transportation Toni Tolker-Nielsen has announced that Vega C will return to flight on 15 November 2024. The agency is, however, considering Falcon 9 as a backup for the launch of Sentinel 1C.
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Offline andretheronsa

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Re: ESA - Sentinel-1C updates & discussion
« Reply #23 on: 04/29/2024 09:08 am »
There has been no news since January when ESA announced that they will “be assessing all elements in the coming days and weeks. We’ll take a final decision considering a backup option of Falcon 9.”.

Then on 17 April news came of issues with the Sentinel-1a thrusters: https://sentinels.copernicus.eu/web/sentinel/-/sentinel-1a-change-in-the-orbit-control-strategy

With this ominous statement "due to issues related to the availability of launchers, S1C had to be postponed and the launch is currently planned for Q4-2024, for a start of routine operations in Q1/2-2025. At that moment, Sentinel-1A will have reached 11 years in space, far beyond its designed lifetime."
And https://sentinels.copernicus.eu/documents/d/sentinel/esa-eopg-eopgmq-tn-2024-12-increase-of-sentinel-1a-orbital-tube

I can't find the link now - but part of this news has also been a short statement on the delayed de-orbiting of S1B due to unexpectedly low performance of it's thrusters.

So... it sounds like they decided not to use Falcon and instead put the 2 year behind schedule "emergency" replacement of 1b and savior of the currently failing 1a on the return to launch on the Vega-C, one of the least reliable launch vehicles to not be flying today which can barely lift the weight to that orbit?

Our, and many other, companies in the EO / InSAR space as well as our customers depend on this system for operational monitoring and hazard detection. How has this thing not been launched 2 and a half years in? This was the promise of the Copernicus system. Anyone have some inside news?

Online Steven Pietrobon

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Re: ESA - Sentinel-1C updates & discussion
« Reply #24 on: 04/30/2024 04:57 am »
How has this thing not been launched 2 and a half years in?

The reasons are due to Vega-C being delayed due to launch failures, due to Soyuz being unavailable due to Russia invading Ukraine, due to Ariane 6 being delayed due to development issues and Covid and due to lack of foresight by ESA and Arianespace in not building more Ariane 5's.
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Offline GWR64

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Re: ESA - Sentinel-1C updates & discussion
« Reply #25 on: 05/28/2024 05:29 pm »
Quote
Successful engine test boost Vega-C towards return-to-flight
28.05.24

Colleferro (Rome), 28 May 2024 – The Zefiro-40 solid rocket motor, the second stage of the Vega C rocket, was tested on 28 May by Vega-C prime contractor Avio at its Salto di Quirra test facility in Sardinia, Italy. The motor featured an improved engine nozzle design, required to prepare for a Vega-C return-to-flight by the end of 2024.

Initial post-test review indicates that the new nozzle assembly performed as expected throughout the scheduled 94 seconds burning time of the test, simulating a nominal in-flight performance.

The Zefiro-40 is a 7.6 m tall rocket motor, loaded with over 36 tons of solid propellant. For this test the motor was installed on its horizontal test bench. Zefiro-40 is developed and manufactured by Avio in their Colleferro factory near Rome, Italy.

A second firing test will be conducted after the summer to confirm the data collected today. Avio engineers will review the data from the first test to prepare for a second test in October that will then qualify the second stage Zefiro-40 solid rocket motor for return-to-flight by end 2024 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

Vega-C is a 35 m high launcher with a mass at liftoff of 210 000 kg. It can place about 2300 kg into a polar orbit. Vega-C can accommodate a mix of cargo shapes and sizes, ranging from CubeSats as small as one kilogram up to a single large payload.

From Vega to Vega-C

Vega-C is the larger evolution of the Vega family of rockets. The original Vega was launched in 2012 and has flown 21 times since. The last Vega flight is scheduled this summer, after which the model will be retired and Vega-C will take over. The smaller Vega variant does not use the Zefiro-40 stage.

ESA is responsible for the Vega-C launch system qualification and also purchases launch services for European institutional missions. The Vega-C development programme was carried out with participation of thirteen ESA Member States, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. The Agency is the contracting authority for the development of Vega-C, supports both the development and exploitation, while also providing technical supervision based on its 30 years of experience.

Avio is the prime contractor and design authority of the Vega-C launchers. Arianespace is the launch service provider.

https://www.avio.com/press-release/successful-engine-test-boost-vega-c-towards-return-flight

Offline GWR64

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Re: ESA - Sentinel-1C updates & discussion
« Reply #26 on: 05/31/2024 02:52 pm »
just saw, the 2nd test fire of the Z40 slipped into October. So far it has been written Q3.

To be honest, I don't understand EU's patience either. Sentinel 1A had a hard life.
A small anomaly of the Fregat led to a slightly different orbit and a very early maneuver to avoid an old satellite.
Later a hit in the solar wing.
The current thruster anomaly is already the 2nd problem with the propulsion system.
« Last Edit: 05/31/2024 02:59 pm by GWR64 »

Offline GWR64

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Re: ESA - Sentinel-1C updates & discussion
« Reply #27 on: 06/02/2024 04:48 pm »
https://twitter.com/Thales_Alenia_S/status/1795811526290415912

Quote
hales Alenia Space
@Thales_Alenia_S
🚚Moving days for the @esa
 's #Sentinel1C satellite
The spacecraft has been successfully shipped from Rome’s plant to Cannes, France.
Now it's time for some more tests👩‍🔬🛰️
Staytuned #spaceforlife #copernicus

hmm, more tests? thruster maybe?
Sentinel 1B has also problems with both propulsion systems during the disposal.  ???
« Last Edit: 06/02/2024 04:57 pm by GWR64 »

Offline PM3

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Re: ESA - Sentinel-1C updates & discussion
« Reply #28 on: 07/23/2024 08:17 am »
Quote
Start: Sentinel-1A: 3. April 2014, Sentinel-1B: 25. April 2016 (außer Betrieb), Sentinel-1C: Dez. 2024, Sentinel-1D: Q4/2025, Sentinel-1 NG: ab 2032
https://d-copernicus.de/daten/satelliten/satelliten-details/news/sentinel-1/

This launch date has been published recently. In May it still said "Sentinal-1C: 2023".

Suggest to change thread title to "Vega-C VV25 - Sentinel-1C - December 2024".
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Offline Salo

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Re: ESA - Sentinel-1C updates & discussion
« Reply #29 on: 07/23/2024 01:05 pm »
VV25 - Late November:
At the press conference, Stefan Israel gave the following dates for the next three launches. Six Ariane 6 launches are planned for 2025.

Vega - Early September for Copernicus.
Vega C - End November.
Ariane 6 - December.
« Last Edit: 07/24/2024 03:36 am by zubenelgenubi »

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Vega C VV25 - Sentinel-1C - late November 2024
« Reply #30 on: 07/24/2024 03:51 am »
Cross-post:
SN Europe sees Ariane 6 launch as an end to its “launcher crisis” [Jul 23, Jeff Foust]
Quote
<snip>
ESA is also preparing for the return to flight of the Vega C, grounded since a launch failure in December 2022. A separate task force is working on that effort, [Josef Aschbacher, ESA director general] said. “Since the beginning of the task force, which was the end of last year, we have not lost a single day along the schedule,” he said.

That return-to-flight mission, carrying the Senintel-1C radar imaging Earth science satellite, is scheduled to fly between mid-November and mid-December, with a more specific date to come after a second test firing of the redesigned second-stage motor at the end of September or early October.

Aschbacher said in the interview that another factor in the launch date for Vega C will be the upcoming final launch of the original version of the Vega rocket, currently set for September carrying Sentinel-2C. “There’s a certain number of weeks necessary for the ground operations and the preparations in Kourou,” the spaceport that hosts Vega and Ariane launches, he said. Any slip in that Vega launch could push back the Vega C launch, he said, even if the Vega C is itself ready to launch.
« Last Edit: 07/24/2024 03:54 am by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Vega C VV25 - Sentinel-1C - NET late November 2024
« Reply #31 on: 09/20/2024 12:39 am »
Cross-post; my bold:
Quote
Software fix planned to correct Ariane 6 upper stage issue
Jeff Foust   September 16, 2024
...
“We could have done the second flight without correcting it,” he said, since the mission does not require multiple burns of the Vinci engine to place the satellite in its planned orbit. “But we want to deorbit the second stage during this second flight, and to deorbit the upper stage we need to correct what has happened.”
...
Israël said Arianespace is still planning to conduct the second Ariane 6 launch by the end of the year, weeks after the return to flight of the Vega C rocket currently planned for late November or early December, even with the APU software change. “We will see if we match this objective in the coming weeks and months,” he said of the schedule.

Source, full article: https://spacenews.com/software-fix-planned-to-correct-ariane-6-upper-stage-issue/
« Last Edit: 09/20/2024 12:42 am by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline GWR64

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Re: Vega C VV25 - Sentinel-1C - NET late November 2024
« Reply #32 on: 10/03/2024 01:48 pm »
cross post, good news
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1841797982129123423

Quote
Head of the Italian space agency ASI reports a successful second test-firing of the redesigned Zefiro 40 motor for the Vega C, which paves the way for the rocket's return to flight late this year.

https://twitter.com/valente_teodoro/status/1841811938650550475

Quote
Great success for the test of the Zefiro 40 engine of #VegaC , which paves the way for the launch in December. The #Italia , with the @esa confirms its leading role in the launch sector. Soon in orbit Sentinel 1-C of the @CopernicusEU
@Avio_Group @ASI_spazio @mimit_gov @GiulioRanzo program

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Vega C VV25 - Sentinel-1C - NET late November 2024
« Reply #33 on: 10/09/2024 10:10 am »
Sentinel-1C arrives in French Guiana
09/10/2024

The Sentinel-1C satellite, the third satellite of the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission, has arrived at the European spaceport in French Guiana for liftoff on the Vega-C rocket at the end of 2024. The satellite will continue the critical task of delivering key radar imagery of Earth’s surface for a wide range of Copernicus services and scientific applications.

Following its journey from Cannes, France, via Turin, Italy, Sentinel-1C has safely landed in Kourou, French Guiana, after being transported on an Antonov aircraft. It will now undergo a series of launch preparation activities to ensure it is ready for liftoff.

Ramón Torres, Sentinel-1 Project Manager at ESA, commented, “Launching on the Vega-C return to flight is certainly a formidable challenge, but thanks to the extraordinary effort and meticulous planning by AVIO and Arianespace, the Sentinel-1 team is filled with confidence.

“The team is ensuring that no stone has been left unturned to ensure that this extraordinary satellite is launched with the utmost safety and precision. The team eagerly awaits the moment when their hard work and dedication culminate in a flawless launch, marking another milestone for the Copernicus programme.”

Simonetta Cheli, Director of Earth Observation Programmes at ESA, added, "The Sentinel-1 mission highlights the strong partnership between ESA and the European Commission to provide vital radar data that Europe relies on. With Sentinel-1C now in French Guiana, we are furthering the important work of Copernicus."

The Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission provides all-weather, day-and-night radar imagery for the global monitoring of Earth's land and oceans – supporting environmental management, disaster response and climate change research.

The Sentinel-1 mission, the first in the family of Copernicus, is based on a constellation of two identical satellites flying in the same orbit but 180° apart, to optimise global coverage and data delivery for Copernicus, the Earth observation component of the European Union’s Space Programme, managed by the European Commission.

Sentinel-1A was the first satellite in the series, launched in April 2014, followed by the launch of Sentinel-1B in 2016. The Sentinel-1B mission came to an end in December 2022 after experiencing a technical fault that rendered it unable to acquire data. The satellite has been successfully de-orbited and will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere within 25 years.

Sentinel-1C will soon take over the role of Sentinel-1B in the mission.

https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-1/Sentinel-1C_arrives_in_French_Guiana#msdynmkt_trackingcontext=a35cef47-91f9-4713-b312-3e6492d52e0a
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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https://newsroom.arianespace.com/arianespace-to-launch-copernicus-sentinel-1c-satellite-on-december-3

ARIANESPACE TO LAUNCH EUROPEAN UNION’S COPERNICUS EARTH OBSERVATION SENTINEL-1C SATELLITE ON DECEMBER 3, 2024

Press release 24-11
Evry-Courcouronnes, 10 October 2024


• On December 3, 2024 (Kourou time), Arianespace will launch Sentinel-1C, a Copernicus
satellite for the European Commission within the scope of a contract signed with the European
Space Agency (ESA).

• This mission will provide crucial environmental data for the planet, while also carrying out
Arianespace’s commitment of guaranteeing Europe’s independent access to space.

• Sentinel-1C is the 6th Sentinel satellite launched by Arianespace

• This VV25 mission will mark the return-to-flight of the Vega C launcher.

Arianespace’s next mission is scheduled for Tuesday December 3rd, 2024, at 6:20 p.m. local time (9:20 p.m.
UTC, 10:20 p.m. CEST), from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, with a Vega C launcher. The
VV25 mission will place its passenger, the Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite, into Sun-Synchronous Orbit at an
altitude of around 700 km. Spacecraft separation will occur 1 hour and 43 minutes after lift-off.

Sentinel-1C is part of Copernicus, the European Union’s Space program Earth observation component. The
world’s most advanced Earth observation system, Copernicus provides continuous, free, and reliable Earth
observation data and services to public authorities, companies and citizens around the globe. The program,
managed by the European Commission, is funded by the European Union with a contribution of ESA.

The Sentinel-1 radar imaging mission is composed of a constellation of two polar-orbiting satellites providing
continuous all-weather, day and night imagery for land and maritime monitoring. C-band synthetic aperture
radar (SAR) imaging has the advantage of operating at wavelengths that are not obstructed by clouds or lack
of illumination and therefore can acquire data during day or night under all weather conditions. Sentinel-1
delivers radar imagery for numerous applications. SAR images are the best way of tracking land subsidence
and structural damage: systematic observations and enhanced interferometric capabilities make ground
movement barely noticeable in everyday life detectable and closely monitorable. As well as being a valuable
resource for urban planners, this type of information is essential for monitoring shifts from earthquakes,
landslides and volcanic uplift. Moreover, it helps geohazard monitoring, mining, geology and city planning
through subsidence risk assessment.

Thales Alenia Space is the prime contractor of Sentinel-1C which arrived in French Guiana on October 8th,
2024. During the launch campaign, the satellite will undergo a precise series of pre-launch tests in preparation
for its lift-off, leading to the Launch Readiness Review (LRR) planned on December 2nd, 2024. The successful
completion of the LRR triggers the approval for proceeding to the launch chronology.

Before the upcoming launch of Sentinel-1C, Sentinel-1A, Sentinel-2A, Sentinel-1B, Sentinel-2B and Sentinel-
2C were successfully launched by Arianespace. The VV25 mission once again highlights Arianespace’s
commitment to space for a better life on Earth, as well as ensuring Europe’s independent access to space.
This VV25 mission will mark the return-to-flight of the Vega C launcher.

The Vega C launcher has been upgraded with more powerful first and second stage Solid Rocket Motors, bigger
AVUM tanks and with a larger fairing that significantly increase payload mass (up to 2,350t in SSO – Sun-
Synchronous Orbit) and double allowable volume. The launcher also better meets the specific needs of small
spacecraft, thanks to its improved SSMS (Small Spacecraft Mission Service) dispenser and to its AVUM+ motor
that will allow seven re-ignitions. Vega C can thus deliver its payloads on three different orbits on the same
mission, instead of the two previously possible with Vega.

ESA is responsible for the Vega C launch system qualification and is the contracting authority for the
development of Vega C, a programme carried out with participation of thirteen ESA Member States. Avio Spa
(Colleferro, Italy) is the prime contractor and design authority of the Vega C launchers, delivering a ready to liftoff
launcher to Arianespace, which will remain its operator up to Vega/Vega C Flight 29 (VV29).
The first generation in the Vega family was launched in 2012 and flew 22 times, with a successful final flight
on September 4th with Sentinel-2C on board.

The VV25 launch at a glance:

➔ 351st launch for the Arianespace launcher family
➔ 10% of the satellites launched by Arianespace are Earth observation satellites
➔ 6th Sentinel satellite launched by Arianespace
➔ 51st mission for the European Space Agency
➔ 3rd Vega C launch
➔ 107th spacecraft built by Thales Alenia Space launched by Arianespace
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Offline GewoonLukas_

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Re: Vega C VV25 - Sentinel-1C - 3 December 2024 (21:20 UTC)
« Reply #36 on: 10/10/2024 02:48 pm »
Quote
First Stage for Vega C Return to Flight Arrives at Launch Pad
October 10, 2024

The P120 solid-fuel first stage that will power the Vega C rocket’s return-to-flight mission has been transferred to the ZLV launch pad at the Guiana Space Centre.

[...]

The cargo ship MN Toucan arrived in French Guiana on 19 September, carrying elements for the rocket’s return-to-flight mission. Once removed from the hull of the Toucan, the P120 first stage was transferred to the booster integration building (BIP) for unpacking and final preparation. On 3 October, the stage was transferred from the integration building to the VEGA launch zone (ZLV) and placed on the launch pad. The first interstage will be stacked next, followed by the recertified Z40 second stage with its redesigned nozzle.

[...]
Lukas C. H. • Hobbyist Mission Patch Artist 🎨 • May the force be with you my friend, Ad Astra Per Aspera ✨️

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« Last Edit: 10/11/2024 08:54 am by jacqmans »
Jacques :-)

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Re: Vega C VV25 - Sentinel-1C - 3 December 2024 (21:20 UTC)
« Reply #38 on: 10/16/2024 11:55 am »
Building Vega-C flight VV25 on its launch pad
15/10/2024

Earth-observer Sentinel-1C is set to launch on Vega-C rocket flight VV25. At 35 m tall, Vega-C weighs 210 tonnes on the launch pad and reaches orbit with three solid-propellant-powered stages before the fourth liquid-propellant stage takes over for precise placement of Sentinel-1C into its orbit.

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.

https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Vega/Building_Vega-C_flight_VV25_on_its_launch_pad#msdynmkt_trackingcontext=8d53c5ca-468e-47f9-a0c9-7d88b8d334bb
Jacques :-)

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Re: Vega C VV25 - Sentinel-1C - 3 December 2024 (21:20 UTC)
« Reply #39 on: 10/24/2024 12:31 pm »
Busy week of testing for the Sentinel-1C satellite

Quote
It’s been a busy week for the Sentinel-1C satellite!

On Friday, 11 October, the team kicked things off by pressurising the satellite’s fuel tank with nitrogen to check for any leaks in the valves or tank.

After de-pressurising it the next day, they confirmed everything was in great shape! Since working with fuel can be hazardous, only essential staff were allowed in the clean room during this process.

By Monday, the satellite team moved on to functional tests, running checks on all the subsystems.


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