The European satellite Copernicus Sentinel-1B ended its mission due to a problem

On December 23, 2021, a problem related to the European satellite for terrestrial observation Copernicus Sentinel-1B. Initially, the news was scarce and users and companies using the Copernicus network services had been warned of the impossibility (at least for some time) of not being able to use that unit anymore and instead rely on the remaining ones.

As of March 2022, the situation had not improved despite efforts by the management and control team to get the satellite back into nominal functioning. In particular, the anomaly seemed to concern the electrical system and more precisely the 28 V power supply that is supplied to the synthetic aperture radar (SAR). Despite the presence of a redundant system, the latter was unable to function. The good news was that the orbit control and management system was working properly and not causing an immediate problem. But now theESA announced that the mission is over.

The Copernicus Sentinel-1B satellite has completed its mission

The European space agency announced with a statement released in these hours that the satellite’s mission has ended. Words have been entrusted to Simonetta Cheli (director of ESA’s Earth observation programs) who said “Unfortunately we have to announce the end of the mission for the Copernicus Sentinel-1B satellite. The conclusion drawn by the Anomaly Review Board is that it is impossible to recover the 28 V regulated bus of the power supply unit of the C-band synthetic aperture radar antenna. of the satellite, necessary to supply power to the radar electronics “.

Fortunately the satellite Copernicus Sentinel-1A continues to function properly to stay in orbit. Still with a view to continuing with terrestrial observation and collecting data, it was decided to accelerate the launch of the satellite Copernicus Sentinel-1C (which could be expected for Q2 2023 thanks to a Vega-C rocket).

As written above, in the misfortune of the technical failure, the part dedicated to the management of the orbit of the Copernicus Sentinel-1B it works properly. This means that ESA will be able to organize the deorbiting so as to avoid leaving a no longer useful satellite in space (and avoiding generating dangerous debris in orbit). This phase will be completed after Sentinel-1C is put into orbit.

Recall that the satellite Sentinel-1B was launched in April 2016 and, thanks to its orbit, was able to provide images to high latitudes daily (while six days in other areas of the planet). Thanks to synthetic aperture radarSAR, it was possible to monitor the sea ice of the Arctic, monitor icebergs, monitor oil spills at sea, fight illegal fishing and control the routes of ships.

Gift ideas, why waste time and risk making mistakes?
GIVE A GOOD AMAZON!