spacetoday.net: Thales and Airbus to build next-generation radar imaging satellites

Posted: Sat, Jun 13, 2026, 10:02 AM ET (1402 GMT)
Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space won contracts to build next-generation radar imaging satellites. ESA signed contracts Wednesday with the companies for the Sentinel-1 Next Generation (NG) program, a pair of radar-imaging satellites that will be part of the Copernicus Earth observation program. Thales, the prime contractor, said its contract was worth 700 million euros ($807 million) for the first tranche of the program, with Airbus serving as a subcontractor to provide the radar imaging payloads. The satellites will build upon the existing Sentinel-1 spacecraft with new capabilities such as improved resolution. The first Sentinel-1 NG spacecraft is expected to launch in 2034. ESA separately approved for development Arrakihs, a small astrophysics mission with a cost cap of 175 million euros. Arrakihs, designed to study galactic evolution, will launch by the end of 2030.