N° 12–2014: Call for Media: Sentinel-1 first images and demonstration of applications

At the event in Brussels on 8 May, experts will also demonstrate how the Sentinel-1 radar mission’s critical observations can be used to keep us and our planet safe.

Sentinel-1A was launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 3 April.

The Sentinel satellites make up the core of Europe’s Copernicus environmental monitoring network. Copernicus will provide operational information on the world’s land surfaces, oceans and atmosphere to support environmental and security policymaking and the needs of individual citizens and service providers.

Sentinel-1 is designed as a two-satellite constellation – Sentinel-1A and -1B – and will provide an all-weather, day-and-night supply of imagery of Earth’s surface using advanced radar.

The mission will benefit numerous services, from climate change monitoring to supporting humanitarian aid and crisis situations. These and many more applications will be highlighted at the Brussels event.

The event, jointly organised by ESA and the European Commission, will be held at the Auditorium of the Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission, located at Avenue d’Auderghem 45, 1040 Brussels.

Programme

09:30  Opening and overview of the Copernicus programme by Philippe Brunet, Director of Aerospace, Maritime, Security and Defence Industries at the European Commission

09:40  Copernicus Space Component and Sentinel-1 Mission update by Volker Liebig, Director of ESA’s Earth Observation programmes, followed by a presentation of the first images

09:50  Scientists and experts provide an overview of how Sentinel-1 radar data will be used, including applications for maritime surveillance, disaster support, land cover and sea-ice monitoring

10:40   Q&A session

 

Media registrationand information

Media interested in attending the conference are requested to register via email to: ENTR-COPERNICUS-SERVICES@ec.europa.eu

More information about the event:

Carlo Corazza

Spokesperson

Email: Carlo.Corazza@ec.europa.eu

Tel: +32 2 295 17 52

Sara Tironi

Press Officer

Email: Sara.Tironi@ec.europa.eu

Tel: +32 2 299 04 03

For the latest news and more information on the Sentinel-1 mission, visit www.esa.int/sentinel1

About the European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. It is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

ESA has 20 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Den-mark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, of whom 18 are Member States of the EU.

ESA has Cooperation Agreements with eight other Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.

ESA is also working with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes.

By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.

ESA develops the launchers, spacecraft and ground facilities needed to keep Europe at the forefront of global space activities.

Today, it launches satellites for Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications and astronomy, sends probes to the far reaches of the Solar System and cooperates in the human exploration of space.

 

For further information:

ESA Media Relations Office, Communication Department

Tel: + 33 1 53 69 72 99

media@esa.int