Beyond Gravity supplies thermal protection and navtech for Sentinel-1C

Beyond Gravity supplies thermal protection and navtech for Sentinel-1C
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Dec 08, 2024
On December 5, the European environmental satellite Copernicus Sentinel-1C was successfully launched aboard a European Vega-C rocket from Kourou, South America. Beyond Gravity contributed critical technologies to this mission, including thermal insulation and a navigation receiver to ensure precise orbital positioning.

Oliver Grassmann, Executive Vice President Satellites at Beyond Gravity, remarked, "With our products we ensure for example that the satellite is protected from extreme temperatures in space and that the satellite's position in orbit is precisely determined. This important environmental mission will give scientists a better understanding of our changing climate and environment, and we are delighted to contribute to this mission."

Thermal Protection for Harsh Space Conditions

Sentinel-1C is equipped with a multi-layer thermal insulation system developed by Beyond Gravity in Austria. This advanced insulation uses ultra-thin polyimide foils to shield the satellite's instruments from the intense thermal variations in space. Nearly all European ESA satellites benefit from similar protection provided by Beyond Gravity. Additionally, the company supplied an antenna support structure produced in Zurich, Switzerland.

Precision Navigation for Enhanced Data Accuracy

The satellite's navigation system, created at Beyond Gravity's Vienna facility, ensures centimeter-level positioning accuracy by utilizing signals from both the US GPS and European Galileo systems. This capability includes the new High Accuracy Service provided by Galileo. Currently, about 25 satellites in space rely on Beyond Gravity's navigation receivers. The satellite also incorporates a Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TTC) antenna from Beyond Gravity's Gothenburg, Sweden, site.

Support for Vega-C Rocket

Beyond Gravity's contributions extend to the Vega-C rocket. The payload fairing was produced in Emmen, Switzerland, while the payload adapter and separation system, which deploy the satellite into orbit, were developed in Linkoping, Sweden. Additionally, the rocket's onboard computer, critical for launch control, was built in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Delivering Crucial Earth Imagery

Copernicus Sentinel-1C carries a synthetic aperture radar to capture high-resolution images of Earth's surface under all weather conditions, day and night. This radar capability enables the monitoring of land movements, ice dynamics, and ocean behavior. The satellite's data will be invaluable for environmental management, disaster response, and climate research, addressing emergencies such as floods, landslides, and oil spills.