Sentinel-1D reaches orbit on Ariane 6
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04/11/2025
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The Sentinel-1 mission, a cornerstone of the Copernicus Earth observation programme, has expanded with the successful launch of Sentinel-1D, the final satellite in its groundbreaking first generation. This launch, aboard an Ariane 6 launcher from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, occurred at 22:02 CET (18:02 local time) on November 4, 2025.
The satellite was placed in its intended orbit 34 minutes after launch, and a signal was received from the satellite at 23:22 CET. This 'acquisition of signal' is a critical moment in any launch, confirming that the satellite is in orbit and capable of communication.
The Sentinel-1 mission delivers high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of Earth’s surface, regardless of weather 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, highlighted the significance of this launch, stating, "This launch on board Ariane 6 is a pivotal moment for ESA, as it completes the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission. Sentinel-1D will soon be commissioned and fully operational, alongside Sentinel-1C."
"The continuity of service this provides for the EU Space Programme is vital for addressing global challenges," she continued. "Citizens will benefit from the mission’s contribution to scientific understanding of our environment, through accurate, reliable, and actionable radar data on movements in our ice sheets, forest ecosystems, and more."
Cheli expressed gratitude to all teams involved, from the mission team at ESA to partners in European industry, including Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space, and the European Commission, her partner in the Copernicus Programme.
Ramon Torres, ESA’s Sentinel-1 Project Manager, shared his team's delight in completing this key milestone. "This achievement is the culmination of years of dedicated work to ensure that Sentinel-1 continues to generate high-quality radar images and data, addressing the critical scientific questions and challenges of today."
"As I conclude my professional journey, I am deeply moved by the dedication of my remarkable team, the exceptional flight operation colleagues at ESA’s operations centre in Germany, and the incredibly committed mission operation teams based in Italy," Torres added. "Together, we managed the successful launch of four satellites aboard three of Europe's finest launchers, a truly extraordinary feat. As long as we have SARs, we’ve got a chance."
Sentinel-1D will join its twin, Sentinel-1C, in enhancing global coverage and data delivery. Both satellites carry a C-band SAR instrument and an Automatic Identification System (AIS) instrument, enabling high-resolution imagery and improved detection and tracking of ships over maritime zones.
When fully operational, Sentinel-1D will enhance AIS observations, including more data on vessel identity, location, and direction of travel, and precise tracking. Both satellites are compatible with the Galileo navigation system and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems. They will also support the Earth Explorer Harmony mission.
The Sentinel-1 mission, launched in 2014, has revolutionized Earth observation with a systematic approach to data acquisition and the creation of a 11-year time series of high-quality radar data. This has reshaped our understanding of the planet by contributing data to public services and scientific studies on environmental and climate changes.
For instance, Sentinel-1’s ability to penetrate thick cloud cover allows it to track disturbances and subtle changes in tropical forests. The mission’s synthetic aperture radar also provides insights into subsidence and land shifts across Europe, feeding data to the European Ground Motion Service. Sentinel-1 data are complementary to other Sentinel mission data, enhancing our ability to observe and understand the water cycle on a global scale.
Examples of Sentinel-1 data's impact include:
- An analysis of flooding beneath the Greenland ice sheet
- Ice loss of glaciers affecting the climate
- Destructive fires in South America’s endangered forests
- Ground movement following a powerful earthquake
- Measuring one of the biggest ever methane releases related to human activity
The Sentinel-1 mission is a collaborative effort between ESA, the European Commission, industry, service providers, and data users. Designed and built by a consortium of over 70 companies led by Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space, it exemplifies Europe’s technological excellence.
The mission is part of the Copernicus family of Sentinel satellites, developed by ESA for the European Commission’s Copernicus, the Earth observation component of the European Union’s Space Programme. It supports the EU in addressing common global challenges.
Data from the Sentinel missions form the basis of the operational Copernicus information services, helping to manage the environment, monitor climate change, and safeguard lives. Sentinel-1 data are freely available via the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, providing instant access to a wide range of data from both the Copernicus Sentinel missions and the Copernicus Contributing Missions.
