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ESA Retires Sentinel-1A After 12 Years, C/D Take Over

7/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

ESA announced that Sentinel-1A ended its operational duties on 29 June 2026.
Sentinel-1A launched on 3 April 2014 with a seven-year design life and lasted over 12 years.
After Sentinel-1B failed in 2021, Sentinel-1A assumed most radar duties, providing all-weather C-band images.
Its final images on 29 June 2026 showed western Iceland and Melbourne, Australia.
Sentinel-1C and Sentinel-1D, now fully operational and spaced 180° apart, will enable ESA to begin Sentinel-1A’s disposal in the northern summer.

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Story summary

ESA announced that Sentinel-1A ended its operational duties on 29 June 2026.
Sentinel-1A launched on 3 April 2014 with a seven-year design life and lasted over 12 years.
After Sentinel-1B failed in 2021, Sentinel-1A assumed most radar duties, providing all-weather C-band images.
Its final images on 29 June 2026 showed western Iceland and Melbourne, Australia.
Sentinel-1C and Sentinel-1D, now fully operational and spaced 180° apart, will enable ESA to begin Sentinel-1A’s disposal in the northern summer.