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ESA Awards Contract for Next-Gen Radar Satellites

June 10, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Thales and Airbus win contracts for Sentinel-1 Next Generation satellites.
Sentinel-1 NG will feature improved geometric resolution and swath width.
The mission is part of the Copernicus Earth observation program.
Arrakihs astrophysics mission also approved for development.

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Strategic Implications

The contract awards may indicate a shift towards next-generation Earth observation capabilities, which could enhance the Copernicus program's ability to provide high-resolution data. The involvement of Thales and Airbus suggests a strong European industry presence in the development of these satellites, which may have implications for the global Earth observation market.

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What Happened

Thales and Airbus Win Deals for Sentinel-1 Next Generation Program

The European Space Agency has awarded contracts to Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space to build the next generation of radar imaging satellites for the Copernicus Earth observation program. The Sentinel-1 Next Generation satellites will feature improved geometric resolution and swath width, and are expected to launch in the early 2030s. Additionally, ESA has approved the development of the Arrakihs astrophysics mission, which will study galaxy halos. The contracts were announced by SpaceNews.

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