On 25 April the fourth Copernicus sentinel satellite, Sentinel-1B, was successfully launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The 2.3 tonne unit lifted off on a Soyuz rocket that delivered the EU satellite into orbit at a height of 693km. Sentinel-1B is now orbiting the Earth, with a 180° orbital phasing difference with its twin brother, Sentinel-1A, launched two years ago.

This mission provides key data to the European Union Copernicus Programme and benefits numerous services, for example, those relating to the monitoring of Arctic sea-ice extent, routine sea-ice mapping, surveillance of the marine environment, monitoring land-surface for motion risks, enabling forest, water and soil management, and mapping to support humanitarian aid and crisis situations.