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European Space Agency, LAUNCH OF SENTINEL-1; A NEW ERA IN EARTH OBSERVATION BEGINS(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sentinel-1 is the first mission for Copernicus, the most ambitious Earth observation programme ever conceived. Story Summary: Thursday 3 April 2014, Europe's Spaceport, Kourou, French Guiana Sentinel-1, the first satellite dedicated to Europe's Copernicus programme, is scheduled for liftoff at 21:02 GMT on Thursday 3 April 2014 from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Led by the European Commission (EC) in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), Copernicus is the most ambitious Earth observation programme to date. Through Copernicus, European citizenry, policymakers and service providers have free access to a wealth of timely and accurate environmental data on a routine basis. This innovative civil global monitoring programme is set to make a step change in the way the environment is managed and how everyday lives are safeguarded. With the launch of the Sentinel-1 satellite, Copernicus goes operational - marking a new era in Earth observation. ESA has developed six Sentinel missions (named Sentinel-1 to Sentinel-6 ) for Copernicus. Each mission carries state-of-the-art technology to deliver a stream of complementary imagery and data tailored to the needs of Copernicus users. Sentinel-1 is the first in the series to be placed in orbit for operational applications. Its all-weather, day and night radar images will be used for environmental tasks that include maritime surveillance and the monitoring of sea ice, oil spills and the tracking of changes in land use. Importantly, it is designed to assist in reconnaissance and operational support activities in response to natural disasters such as floods and landslides when the latest data is needed as fast as possible. The Sentinel-1 mission is designed as a constellation of two identical satellites orbiting 180 apart for optimal global coverage. Sentinel1A being launched on 3rd of April is the first of the two and will be joined by Sentinel-1B in orbit next year. Operating as a pair, revisit intervals are improved so that every place on Earth is imaged every six days. The Sentinel-1 pair will provide coverage over Europe, Canada and main shipping routes every 1-3 days, regardless of weather conditions. Radar data will be delivered within an hour of acquisition - a big improvement over existing radar systems. Sentinel-2 is dedicated primarily to monitoring land cover and vegetation and Sentinel-3 will supply information primarily related to the marine environment. Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 are focused on air quality and Sentinel-6 will also offer information operational oceanography. In addition to the dedicated Sentinel missions, Copernicus relies on Contributing Missions. These are designated existing or planned missions from ESA and its Member States, Eumetsat and other European and international third party operators that make their data available for Copernicus. Copernicus provides a unified system through which vast amounts of data are fed into a range of thematic information services designed to benefit the environment, the way we live and support effective policy-making for a more sustainable future. These services fall into six main categories: land management, the marine environment, atmosphere, emergency response, security and climate change. ESA draws on its 30 years of expertise in space programme development and management to contribute to the success of Copernicus, shaping the future of our planet for the benefit of all. BROADCAST OPPORTUNITIES DURING LAUNCH SATELLITE MEDIA TOUR On launch day ESA's spokespeople and scientists will be available for interview via satellite from Kourou, French Guiana. European Broadcasters interested in booking a satellite interview please contact: Orlegi Communications [email protected] Tel: +44 1550 777917+44 1550 777917 Mob: +44 7969574673+44 7969574673 FOOTAGE AVAILABILITY Broadcast quality footage will be available to download from: http://www.esa.int/esatv/Television More extensive background footage is also available directly from the ESA Video Archive Please contact Hugo Auffret +39 06 941 80877+39 06 941 80877 [email protected] ESA TV COVERAGE ESA TV will be providing extensive coverage of the Sentinel-1 mission. Several stories featuring the mission and its preparation are being released on ESA TV's FTP server and via satellite on the Europe by Satellite (EbS) service, also available on EBU Worldfeed and Worldlink Tue 11/03 Sentinel Mission Tue 25/3 Copernicus Programme Wed 02/04 Sentinel Latest from Kourou On 3rd April the launch will be transmitted live via satellite from Kourou, in cooperation with Arianespace. All details will be found on ESA TV's site: http://www.esa.int/esatv/Television For further information contact ESA TV team: Dominique Detain + 33 685 114 681+ 33 685 114 681 Chris Courtenay Taylor + 44 7774 275 951+ 44 7774 275 951 Ingrid Van De Vyver +32 495 20 9541+32 495 20 9541 EUROPEAN LAUNCH EVENT Sentinel-1 will be controlled from ESOC- ESA's mission control centre. ESOC will host a launch event for media. The event will be centred on the video transmission of the launch, with experts available for complementary information. For further information, please contact: ESA Media Relations Office, Tel: +33(0)1 53 69 72 99+33(0)1 53 69 72 99/71 58 [email protected] Germany ESOC Phone : + 49 61 51 90 26 96+ 49 61 51 90 26 96 Fax : +49 61 51 90 26 91 [email protected] SMSAdd to SkypeYou'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype . (c) 2014 M2 COMMUNICATIONS |