Airbus awarded contract for Copernicus Sentinel-1 NG radar instruments at Berlin Air Show

This agreement secures the development and production of two advanced C-band radar instruments for the upcoming Sentinel-1 NG constellation, a cornerstone of the EU’s Copernicus programme.

These advanced C-band radars will generate essential data for the global fight against climate change, providing millimetre-level accuracy to monitor sea-level rise, glacier movements, and land deformation. Unlike optical sensors, SAR technology operates effectively through cloud cover and in total darkness, ensuring continuous, 24/7 all-weather monitoring over both land and open ocean.

The next-generation radars represent a significant leap in Earth observation capability. Compared to the first-generation Sentinel-1, the NG constellation will feature modes with a much wider swath (400 km vs. 250 km) and a fourfold improvement in geometric resolution (5m x 5m vs. 5m x 20m). Furthermore, the new generation will extend its coverage to both poles, utilising advanced active beam steering through Multiple Aperture Processing Scheme (MAPS) technology.

“This contract is a ringing endorsement of Airbus’ expertise in synthetic aperture radar technology and, with a first launch expected in 2034, will ensure continuity of data into the 2040s,” said Marc Steckling, Head of Earth Observation, Science and Space Exploration at Airbus Defence and Space. “Thanks to their improved performance, the Sentinel-1 NG radars will enhance the existing services and applications but also allow the development of new ones, such as maritime surveillance.”