Sentinel-1B LEOP and commissioning

Sentinel-1A, the first component of the Copernicus Space Segment developed by the European Space Agency, was launched on 3 April 2014. It was commissioned in orbit during the following months leading to a In-Orbit Commissioning Review in September 2014. The launch of the identical Sentinel-1B is planned in April 2016, two years after Sentinel-1A with which will complete the Copernicus Sentinel-1 constellation. After launch, the LEOP Phase is expected to last three days where all subsystems and the SAR instrument will be checked. It will immediately be followed by the four-month Commissioning Phase that will include the in-orbit Calibration and Characterisation, and the verification of the satellite, in order to deliver a full functional and well performing satellite to the mission operations. This paper will present the LEOP and Commissioning activities already completed, and the status of Sentinel-1B Calibration, Characterisation and Verification activities of the Commissioning in place.