Serco-led consortium celebrates milestone Sentinel-1C launch as part of the Copernicus Operations contract

Serco, the international provider of services to governments, is pleased to announce its successful involvement in the launch of the Sentinel-1C satellite. This achievement is part of the Copernicus Operations (COP-2) service contract, delivered by the serco-led consortium, comprising CS Group, Deimos, and Telespazio.

Sentinel-1C was launched aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. This launch will enhance Europe’s Earth observation capabilities, contributing significantly to environmental monitoring, natural disaster management, and humanitarian aid efforts.

The Sentinel-1 missions are part of the Copernicus family, a constellation of twin satellites flying in the same orbit but 180° apart, optimising global coverage and data delivery. Sentinel-1C, alongside its counterpart Sentinel-1A, restores the mission’s full potential as a two-satellite constellation after the Sentinel-1B mission concluded due to technical issues. Sentinel-1C will continue the legacy of the Sentinel-1 mission by delivering advanced radar imagery, enabling the monitoring of Earth’s changing environment under all weather conditions, day and night, including observations of land, ice movements, and ocean conditions.

As part of the COP-2 operations service contract, Serco took on significant responsibilities, including the participation to the preparation and execution of simulations, as well as the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP). The consortium worked closely with the European Space Agency (ESA) to deliver essential end-to end services, including flight control, flight dynamics, collision avoidance, data systems, and ground operations.

Ian Shurmer, Sentinel-1C Flight Director and Head of the Sentinels Radar Imaging Missions Operations Unit
at the European Space Agency, said:

"The COP-2 personnel performed an essential role in the preparation and successful execution of the Sentinel-1C LEOP.  They make a great team and I have nothing but praise for their dedication and professionalism. I enjoy working with them, and I look forward to doing it all again for Sentinel-1D."

Islam Alizada, Head of Copernicus Operations (COP-2) contract at Serco Europe, added:

"We are grateful to be part of the teams that contributed to the successful launch of Sentinel-1C satellite, and to continue supporting the European Copernicus Programme through the COP-2 service contract. The Sentinel-1C satellite will further strengthen the Copernicus program's role in global environmental monitoring and crisis response strategies, and Serco could not be prouder to contribute to a space mission to impact a better and safer future."

With this successful launch, the series of critical activities does not stop. Serco will continue supporting the commissioning of the Sentinel-2C satellite, in parallel to the newly launched Sentinel-1C, where both satellites will continue to provide valuable information to the Copernicus user community.

Serco, impacting a better future.