Smiths Interconnect announced its contribution to the Sentinel-1C satellite, the third in the Sentinel-1 mission. Launched into orbit aboard the Vega-C rocket on December 5, 2024, the satellite is already providing valuable data to support environmental studies and disaster response efforts.
Within a week of its launch, Sentinel-1C delivered its first radar images of Earth. These initial images feature regions such as Svalbard in Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium, showcasing its ability to collect critical data for environmental monitoring.
Sentinel-1C is part of the Copernicus Programme, the Earth Observation component of the European Union’s Space Programme. Managed by the European Commission and supported by the European Space Agency (ESA), the programme delivers data to tackle environmental challenges and enhance disaster response efforts.
“We are thrilled to play a vital role in the Sentinel-1 mission by supplying cutting-edge connectivity solutions,” said Julian Fagge, President at Smiths Interconnect. “Our hyperboloid and spring probe solutions, along with our circulators, are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of space and ensure consistent performance. We congratulate Thales Alenia Space and wish them every success in the Copernicus Programme that provides critical data for environmental and humanitarian applications.”
The satellite will enhance the Copernicus Programme by providing long-term data to monitor issues such as landslides, earthquakes, volcanic activity, deforestation and polar ice changes. It will also play a key role in water resource management and emergency response during natural disasters.
Working with its sister satellite Sentinel-1A, launched in 2014, Sentinel-1C will pass over specific points on Earth every five days. Unlike satellites that use optical systems, Sentinel-1C’s radar can gather information in all weather conditions and during both day and night.
An important new feature onboard Sentinel-1C is the Automatic Identification System, which helps improve maritime safety by tracking ships and monitoring illegal activities, such as dumping pollutants into the ocean.
Smiths Interconnect worked with Thales Alenia Space, the company leading the Sentinel-1 mission on behalf of ESA, to provide key components for Sentinel-1C. These components were essential to the satellite’s performance and the success of its mission.
- Hyperboloid Contact Technology PCB Connectors (CSD series) that offer unmatched reliability and durability, making them ideal for demanding space environments and Spring Probe Interposers that provide excellent signal integrity and mechanical resilience and improve miniaturization allowing removal of cable harnessing inside the system. Both solutions play a key role in the radar transmission systems to track and transmit the satellite position.
- Microwave Circulators: Integral to the satellite’s SAR payload, the circulators facilitate efficient energy transfer between the transmit-receive module (TRM) and the antenna combiner. They also ensure accurate signal routing from the antenna to the TRM receiver for seamless operation.
The Sentinel-1 satellite is poised to enhance global understanding of environmental changes, support disaster management and advance scientific research. Smiths Interconnect’s advanced solutions underline its commitment to innovation and reliability in space applications.