diff --git a/satpy/_config.py b/satpy/_config.py
index 47012742d6..939396b93e 100644
--- a/satpy/_config.py
+++ b/satpy/_config.py
@@ -54,6 +54,9 @@
     "readers": {
         "clip_negative_radiances": False,
     },
+    # 8< v1.0
+    "legacy_sensor_attribute": True
+    # >8 v1.0
 }
 
 # Satpy main configuration object
diff --git a/satpy/composites/aux_data.py b/satpy/composites/aux_data.py
index 3179f826a5..2194e2238b 100644
--- a/satpy/composites/aux_data.py
+++ b/satpy/composites/aux_data.py
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ def __call__(self, *args, **kwargs):
             if self.area is None:
                 raise AttributeError("Area definition needs to be configured")
             img.attrs["area"] = self.area
-        img.attrs["sensor"] = None
+        img.attrs["_satpy_sensor"] = None
         img.attrs["mode"] = "".join(img.bands.data)
         img.attrs.pop("modifiers", None)
         img.attrs.pop("calibration", None)
diff --git a/satpy/composites/core.py b/satpy/composites/core.py
index 1b124eb88a..70c12642fa 100644
--- a/satpy/composites/core.py
+++ b/satpy/composites/core.py
@@ -436,7 +436,7 @@ def _concat_datasets(self, projectables, mode):
     def _get_sensors(self, projectables):
         sensor = set()
         for projectable in projectables:
-            current_sensor = projectable.attrs.get("sensor", None)
+            current_sensor = projectable.attrs.get("_satpy_sensor", None)
             if current_sensor:
                 if isinstance(current_sensor, (str, bytes)):
                     sensor.add(current_sensor)
@@ -512,7 +512,7 @@ def _get_updated_attrs(self, datasets, attrs, mode):
         new_attrs.update(self.attrs)
         if resolution is not None:
             new_attrs["resolution"] = resolution
-        new_attrs["sensor"] = self._get_sensors(datasets)
+        new_attrs["_satpy_sensor"] = self._get_sensors(datasets)
         new_attrs["mode"] = mode
 
         return new_attrs
diff --git a/satpy/composites/fill.py b/satpy/composites/fill.py
index bd5b51577e..123e57e7a9 100644
--- a/satpy/composites/fill.py
+++ b/satpy/composites/fill.py
@@ -406,9 +406,9 @@ def _combine_metadata_with_mode_and_sensor(self,
         # 'mode' is no longer valid after we've remove the 'A'
         # let the base class __call__ determine mode
         attrs.pop("mode", None)
-        if attrs.get("sensor") is None:
+        if attrs.get("_satpy_sensor") is None:
             # sensor can be a set
-            attrs["sensor"] = self._get_sensors([foreground, background])
+            attrs["_satpy_sensor"] = self._get_sensors([foreground, background])
         return attrs
 
     @staticmethod
diff --git a/satpy/composites/glm.py b/satpy/composites/glm.py
index 866e952698..527c5acc40 100644
--- a/satpy/composites/glm.py
+++ b/satpy/composites/glm.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ def _update_attrs(self, new_data, background_layer, highlight_layer):
         new_data.attrs["units"] = 1
         new_sensors = self._get_sensors((highlight_layer, background_layer))
         new_data.attrs.update({
-            "sensor": new_sensors,
+            "_satpy_sensor": new_sensors,
         })
 
     def __call__(self, projectables, optional_datasets=None, **attrs):
diff --git a/satpy/dependency_tree.py b/satpy/dependency_tree.py
index 97777a71e9..38d2773967 100644
--- a/satpy/dependency_tree.py
+++ b/satpy/dependency_tree.py
@@ -514,7 +514,7 @@ def get_modifier(self, comp_id):
             mloader, moptions = modifiers[modifier]
             moptions = moptions.copy()
             moptions.update(comp_id.to_dict())
-            moptions["sensor"] = sensor_name
+            moptions["_satpy_sensor"] = sensor_name
             compositors[comp_id] = mloader(_satpy_id=comp_id, **moptions)
             return compositors[comp_id]
 
diff --git a/satpy/enhancements/enhancer.py b/satpy/enhancements/enhancer.py
index b196c63e28..8bf63377be 100644
--- a/satpy/enhancements/enhancer.py
+++ b/satpy/enhancements/enhancer.py
@@ -38,12 +38,12 @@ def __init__(self, *decision_dicts, **kwargs):
                                 ("name",
                                  "reader",
                                  "platform_name",
-                                 "sensor",
+                                 "_satpy_sensor",
                                  "standard_name",
                                  "units",
                                  ))
         self.prefix = kwargs.pop("config_section", "enhancements")
-        multival_keys = kwargs.pop("multival_keys", ["sensor"])
+        multival_keys = kwargs.pop("multival_keys", ["_satpy_sensor"])
         super(EnhancementDecisionTree, self).__init__(
             decision_dicts, match_keys, multival_keys)
 
@@ -209,8 +209,8 @@ def get_enhanced_image(dataset, enhance=None, overlay=None, decorate=None,
     if enhancer is None or enhancer.enhancement_tree is None:
         LOG.debug("No enhancement being applied to dataset")
     else:
-        if dataset.attrs.get("sensor", None):
-            enhancer.add_sensor_enhancements(dataset.attrs["sensor"])
+        if dataset.attrs.get("_satpy_sensor", None):
+            enhancer.add_sensor_enhancements(dataset.attrs["_satpy_sensor"])
 
         enhancer.apply(img, **dataset.attrs)
 
diff --git a/satpy/modifiers/_crefl_utils.py b/satpy/modifiers/_crefl_utils.py
index b8a1d52a4b..84a013876a 100644
--- a/satpy/modifiers/_crefl_utils.py
+++ b/satpy/modifiers/_crefl_utils.py
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ def run_crefl(refl,
     :param avg_elevation: average elevation (usually pre-calculated and stored in CMGDEM.hdf)
 
     """
-    runner_cls = _runner_class_for_sensor(refl.attrs["sensor"])
+    runner_cls = _runner_class_for_sensor(refl.attrs["_satpy_sensor"])
     runner = runner_cls(refl)
     corr_refl = runner(sensor_azimuth, sensor_zenith, solar_azimuth, solar_zenith, avg_elevation)
     return corr_refl
@@ -349,7 +349,7 @@ def _run_crefl(self, mus, muv, phi, solar_zenith, sensor_zenith, height, coeffs)
 class _VIIRSMODISCREFLRunner(_CREFLRunner):
     def _run_crefl(self, mus, muv, phi, solar_zenith, sensor_zenith, height, coeffs):
         return da.map_blocks(_run_crefl, self._refl.data, mus.data, muv.data, phi.data,
-                             height, self._refl.attrs.get("sensor"), *coeffs,
+                             height, self._refl.attrs.get("_satpy_sensor"), *coeffs,
                              meta=np.ndarray((), dtype=self._refl.dtype),
                              chunks=self._refl.chunks, dtype=self._refl.dtype,
                              )
diff --git a/satpy/modifiers/atmosphere.py b/satpy/modifiers/atmosphere.py
index c7144c27ca..284f9968b6 100644
--- a/satpy/modifiers/atmosphere.py
+++ b/satpy/modifiers/atmosphere.py
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ def __call__(self, projectables, optional_datasets=None, **info):
         logger.info("Removing Rayleigh scattering with atmosphere '%s' and "
                     "aerosol type '%s' for '%s'",
                     atmosphere, aerosol_type, vis.attrs["name"])
-        corrector = Rayleigh(vis.attrs["platform_name"], vis.attrs["sensor"],
+        corrector = Rayleigh(vis.attrs["platform_name"], vis.attrs["_satpy_sensor"],
                              atmosphere=atmosphere,
                              aerosol_type=aerosol_type)
 
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ def __call__(self, projectables, optional_datasets=None, **info):
 
         logger.info("Correction for limb cooling")
         corrector = AtmosphericalCorrection(band.attrs["platform_name"],
-                                            band.attrs["sensor"])
+                                            band.attrs["_satpy_sensor"])
 
         atm_corr = da.map_blocks(_call_mapped_correction, satz, band.data,
                                  corrector=corrector,
diff --git a/satpy/modifiers/spectral.py b/satpy/modifiers/spectral.py
index 402b5606d4..effeee2db6 100644
--- a/satpy/modifiers/spectral.py
+++ b/satpy/modifiers/spectral.py
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ def _init_reflectance_calculator(self, metadata):
             logger.info("Couldn't load pyspectral")
             raise ImportError("No module named pyspectral.near_infrared_reflectance")
 
-        reflectance_3x_calculator = Calculator(metadata["platform_name"], metadata["sensor"], metadata["name"],
+        reflectance_3x_calculator = Calculator(metadata["platform_name"], metadata["_satpy_sensor"], metadata["name"],
                                                sunz_threshold=self.sun_zenith_threshold,
                                                masking_limit=self.masking_limit)
         return reflectance_3x_calculator
diff --git a/satpy/readers/abi_l1b.py b/satpy/readers/abi_l1b.py
index 48e82f6968..4c5b3c62cb 100644
--- a/satpy/readers/abi_l1b.py
+++ b/satpy/readers/abi_l1b.py
@@ -73,7 +73,9 @@ def get_dataset(self, key, info):
 
     def _adjust_attrs(self, data, key):
         data.attrs.update({"platform_name": self.platform_name,
-                          "sensor": self.sensor})
+                          "_satpy_sensor": self.sensor,
+                           "instruments": {self.instrument}
+        })
         # Add orbital parameters
         projection = self.nc["goes_imager_projection"]
         data.attrs["orbital_parameters"] = {
diff --git a/satpy/readers/core/abi.py b/satpy/readers/core/abi.py
index e50cd616c4..0481fc1118 100644
--- a/satpy/readers/core/abi.py
+++ b/satpy/readers/core/abi.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
 from satpy._compat import cached_property
 from satpy.readers.core.file_handlers import BaseFileHandler
 from satpy.readers.core.remote import open_file_or_filename
-from satpy.utils import get_dask_chunk_size_in_bytes
+from satpy.utils import get_dask_chunk_size_in_bytes, oscar_to_satpy
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -108,10 +108,15 @@ def _rename_dims(nc):
                 nc = nc.rename({"lon": "x", "lat": "y"})
         return nc
 
+    @property
+    def instrument(self):
+        """Get OSCAR instrument name for current file handler."""
+        return "ABI"
+
     @property
     def sensor(self):
-        """Get sensor name for current file handler."""
-        return "abi"
+        """Get satpy internal sensor name for current file handler."""
+        return oscar_to_satpy(self.instrument)
 
     def __getitem__(self, item):
         """Wrap `self.nc[item]` for better floating point precision.
diff --git a/satpy/scene.py b/satpy/scene.py
index 8693cc77b4..cbdc855821 100644
--- a/satpy/scene.py
+++ b/satpy/scene.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 """Scene object to hold satellite data."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import contextlib
 import logging
 import os
 import warnings
@@ -29,6 +30,7 @@
 from pyresample.geometry import AreaDefinition, BaseDefinition, CoordinateDefinition, SwathDefinition
 from xarray import DataArray
 
+import satpy
 from satpy.area import get_area_def
 from satpy.composites.config_loader import load_compositor_configs_for_sensors
 from satpy.composites.core import IncompatibleAreas
@@ -197,12 +199,12 @@ def sensor_names(self) -> set[str]:
     def _contained_sensor_names(self) -> set[str]:
         sensor_names = set()
         for data_arr in self.values():
-            if "sensor" not in data_arr.attrs:
+            if "_satpy_sensor" not in data_arr.attrs:
                 continue
-            if isinstance(data_arr.attrs["sensor"], str):
-                sensor_names.add(data_arr.attrs["sensor"])
-            elif isinstance(data_arr.attrs["sensor"], set):
-                sensor_names.update(data_arr.attrs["sensor"])
+            if isinstance(data_arr.attrs["_satpy_sensor"], str):
+                sensor_names.add(data_arr.attrs["_satpy_sensor"])
+            elif isinstance(data_arr.attrs["_satpy_sensor"], set):
+                sensor_names.update(data_arr.attrs["_satpy_sensor"])
         return sensor_names
 
     @property
@@ -828,8 +830,15 @@ def get(self, key, default=None):
     def __getitem__(self, key):
         """Get a dataset or create a new 'slice' of the Scene."""
         if isinstance(key, tuple):
-            return self.slice(key)
-        return self._datasets[key]
+            res = self.slice(key)
+        else:
+            res = self._datasets[key]
+        # 8< v1.0
+        if satpy.config.get("legacy_sensor_attribute"):
+            with contextlib.suppress(KeyError):
+                res.attrs["sensor"] = res.attrs["_satpy_sensor"]
+        # >8 v1.0
+        return res
 
     def __setitem__(self, key, value):
         """Add the item to the scene."""
diff --git a/satpy/tests/conftest.py b/satpy/tests/conftest.py
index 85ff3f957b..6d5da1e981 100644
--- a/satpy/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/satpy/tests/conftest.py
@@ -63,3 +63,11 @@ def _forbid_pyspectral_downloads():
 
     with forbid_pyspectral_downloads():
         yield
+
+# 8< v1.0
+@pytest.fixture(scope="session", autouse=True)
+def legacy_sensor_attribute():
+    """Request legacy sensor attribute."""
+    import satpy
+    satpy.config.set(legacy_sensor_attribute=True)
+# >8 v1.0
diff --git a/satpy/tests/reader_tests/test_abi_l1b.py b/satpy/tests/reader_tests/test_abi_l1b.py
index bcb6d35041..ba70d520b3 100644
--- a/satpy/tests/reader_tests/test_abi_l1b.py
+++ b/satpy/tests/reader_tests/test_abi_l1b.py
@@ -371,7 +371,8 @@ def test_get_dataset(self, c01_data_arr):
             "scan_mode": "M4",
             "scene_abbr": "C",
             "scene_id": None,
-            "sensor": "abi",
+            "_satpy_sensor": "abi",
+            "instruments": {"ABI"},
             "timeline_ID": None,
             "suffix": "suffix",
             "units": "W m-2 um-1 sr-1",
diff --git a/satpy/utils.py b/satpy/utils.py
index bdf9d77e4c..f56fd8f000 100644
--- a/satpy/utils.py
+++ b/satpy/utils.py
@@ -940,3 +940,8 @@ def flatten_dict(d, parent_key="", sep="_"):
         else:
             items.append((new_key, v))
     return dict(items)
+
+
+def oscar_to_satpy(instrument: str) -> str:
+    """Translate OSCAR instrument name to Satpy naming convention."""
+    return instrument.lower().replace("-", "").replace(" ", "_").replace("/", "-")