After more than twelve years in orbit, the radar satellite Sentinel-1A has far exceeded its original design life and officially ended its mission.
Initially designed for a seven‑year lifetime, the spacecraft delivered continuous high‑resolution radar imagery that became indispensable for a wide range of Earth‑observation applications.
The data were used to monitor land‑surface changes, sea ice, floods and oil spills, and to provide vital information for disaster response and maritime safety.
Its long‑term data archive has laid a solid foundation for scientific research and paved the way for the subsequent Sentinel‑1 missions.