The European Space Agency (ESA) is set to launch the Sentinel-1C Earth observation satellite on December 4, 2024, from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The launch, identified as VV25, will utilize the Vega-C rocket and will be broadcast live, allowing media representatives to witness critical phases of the launch and early orbit from the ESA control center in Darmstadt.
Attendees at the launch event will include leading experts from ESA, industry managers, officials from the European Commission, and members of the Copernicus user communities. The media program for the event will feature a series of presentations and discussions focusing on the capabilities of Sentinel-1C, including its role in Earth observation and data utilization by start-ups like CoraMaps for disaster management and precision agriculture.
The launch will commence with a live broadcast at 22:00 CET, showcasing the Vega-C rocket's deployment of the satellite. Following the launch, the ESA Operations team will confirm the initial signal acquisition from Sentinel-1C at 00:15, marking a significant milestone in Europe's Earth observation capabilities.
Rolf Densing, ESA's Director of Operations, will provide concluding remarks on the mission's success. The event underscores ESA's commitment to advancing Earth observation technologies and enhancing data access for various applications.