Apr. 14, 2016

The second satellite of the Sentinel-1 mission – Sentinel-1B – is set for launch from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 22 April at 21:02 GMT (23:02 CEST). Media representatives are invited to follow the launch online or attend the main launch event at ESA’s ESRIN centre for Earth observation in Frascati, Italy.
The Sentinel satellites deliver the wealth of data and imagery that are central to the EU’s Copernicus programme.
By offering a set of key information services for a broad range of applications, this global monitoring programme is a step change in the way we manage our environment, understand and tackle the effects of climate change, and safeguard everyday lives.

The Sentinel-1 mission carries an advanced radar to provide an all-weather, day-and-night supply of imagery of Earth’s surface.
The first in the two-satellite mission – Sentinel-1A – was launched in April 2014 and its data have already been exploited for a range of services related to the monitoring of Arctic sea-ice extent, routine sea-ice mapping, surveillance of the marine environment, including oil-spill monitoring and ship detection for maritime security, monitoring land surface for motion risks, mapping for forest, water and soil management, and mapping to support humanitarian aid and crisis situations.

Once its sister Sentinel-1B is in orbit, the mission will be able to image every place on Earth every six days – and in some places even more frequently – offering increased coverage for operational and scientific applications.
For the latest news and information on this mission, visit: www.esa.int/Sentinel-1

Launch event
Doors open at 20:00 CEST. ESA managers, representatives from the European Commission and data users will discuss the socio-economic impact of the Sentinel-1 mission and Copernicus programme, followed by live coverage of the launch from French Guiana.
Media should register by Tuesday, 19 April by email to: Valeria.Andreoni@esa.int
Any last-minute change in the launch date will be announced on our website at:www.esa.int/Sentinel-1 and via Twitter @ESA_EO

Coverage
ESA TV
ESA TV will provide broadcasters with live satellite relay of the launch.
Video material is available in the video archive, complemented with new productions according to the following schedule: Fly your satellite, 15 April; Latest from Kourou, 21 April.
Details at http://esatv.esa.int/Television

Website
ESA’s Portal will cover the launch live, providing the videostream and updates of the launch at
www.esa.int/esalive and www.livestream.com/eurospaceagency
For a collection of videos, including interviews with key team members and animations, visit: www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/Missions/Sentinel-1

Social media
Twitter: @ESA_EO, @ESAoperations, @ESA and the hashtag #Sentinel1
Blogs: ESA Earth Observation launch campaigns http://blogs.esa.int/eolaunches/ Mission Operations http://blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/ and www.esa.int/Sentinel-1
Flickr: http://flickr.com/europeanspaceagency

Still images
The images from the mission can be found at
www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Missions/Sentinel-1 and
http://esa-photolibrary.com/