Sentinel-1D, the latest satellite in the Copernicus Earth observation programme's Sentinel-1 mission, successfully reached orbit on Ariane 6. The launch, which took place at 22:02 CET on November 4, 2025, from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, marked a significant milestone for ESA and the EU Space Programme. The satellite was placed in its intended orbit 34 minutes after launch, and a signal was received at 23:22 CET, confirming its operational status.
The Sentinel-1 mission provides high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of Earth's surface, regardless of weather conditions or time of day. This service is invaluable to disaster response teams, environmental agencies, maritime authorities, climate scientists, and the global Earth observation community, who rely on frequent updates of critical data. Simonetta Cheli, Director of ESA's Earth Observation Programmes, emphasized the importance of this launch, stating that it completes the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission and ensures the continuity of service for the EU Space Programme.
Sentinel-1D will work alongside its twin, Sentinel-1C, to optimize global coverage and data delivery. Both satellites carry C-band SAR instruments and Automatic Identification System (AIS) instruments, enhancing the detection and tracking of ships over maritime zones. Sentinel-1D is also compatible with the Galileo navigation system and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems, and will support the Earth Explorer Harmony mission.
The Sentinel-1 mission, launched in 2014, has revolutionized Earth observation with its systematic approach to data acquisition and the generation of high-quality radar data. This has contributed to scientific studies on environmental changes and climate, such as tracking disturbances in tropical forests, monitoring subsidence and land shifts in Europe, and measuring methane releases related to human activity. The mission's impact is evident in various examples, including analyzing flooding beneath the Greenland ice sheet, tracking ice loss in glaciers, and capturing ground movements following powerful earthquakes.
The Sentinel-1 mission is a collaborative effort between ESA, the European Commission, industry partners, service providers, and data users. It showcases Europe's technological prowess and commitment to addressing global challenges. The data provided by Sentinel-1 missions are freely accessible via the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, ensuring widespread availability and utilization for environmental management, climate monitoring, and life-saving applications.
