A structural model of the upcoming Copernicus Radar Observing System for Europe at L-band satellite, or ROSE-L for short, has recently been put through a series of demanding tests – including intense vibration – to demonstrate that the satellite will be able to withstand the stresses of launch and operations in orbit. Once in orbit, ROSE-L’s data will support a wide range of applications, from soil moisture and crop monitoring to forest mapping, maritime surveillance, and the detection of natural and human-induced hazards.