Sentinel-1D Satellite Launches to enhance Global Earth Monitoring and AIS Data Collection

The Copernicus Sentinel-1D satellite has successfully entered orbit as part of the ongoing Sentinel-1 mission. The satellite was launched on November 4, 2025, at 22:02 CET (18:02 local time) aboard an Ariane 6 rocket from Europe’s Spaceport located in French Guiana.

This mission very important in providing high-resolution radar imagery of Earth’s surface, operating effectively under all weather conditions and during both day and night. A high number of organizations, including disaster response units, environmental agencies, maritime authorities, and climate researchers, use the data generated by Sentinel-1 for timely and critical updates.

Sentinel-1D will collaborate with its counterpart, Sentinel-1C, which orbits 180 degrees away, to improve global coverage and improve data availability. Each satellite carries a C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instrument capable of capturing detailed images of the planet. They are also equipped with Automatic Identification System (AIS) instruments that aid in the detection and monitoring of maritime vessels. Once Sentinel-1D becomes fully operational, it is expected to facilitate more regular AIS data collection, providing important information such as vessel identities, locations, and navigational directions.

The launch of Sentinel-1D was executed during the flight designated VA265 of Europe’s heavy-lift Ariane 6 rocket.