Sentinel-1D satellite set for November launch to enhance global environmental monitoring

The upcoming satellite for the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission is on track for its launch on November 4, 2025, aboard an Ariane 6 rocket. The Sentinel-1 fleet is essential for providing radar imagery of the Earth, operating continuously regardless of weather conditions and time of day. This capability is important for a variety of sectors, including disaster response, environmental monitoring, maritime operations, and climate research, which require timely access to critical data.

Set to join existing satellite Sentinel-1C, the new Sentinel-1D will take over the role of Sentinel-1A, which has exceeded its expected lifespan after more than a decade in orbit. Both Sentinel-1D and 1C will use a C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for high-resolution imaging and will be equipped with an Automatic Identification System (AIS) designed to improve the tracking of maritime vessels. With both satellites operational, updates on ship movements will be available more frequently.

Last week, the Flight Readiness Review for Sentinel-1D was successfully completed, enabling the satellite to move forward with its fueling process. Thibaut Decoopman, the project manager for the mission, stated that the team is currently in the final stages of preparations for the launch, including configuring the satellite for encapsulation. He noted that since Sentinel-1D’s arrival in French Guiana, it has gone through all necessary integration steps and functional tests, emerging in excellent condition and ready to be attached to the launch vehicle.

Encapsulation of the satellite is scheduled for October 24. The Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission is part of the European Space Agency’s broader Copernicus initiative, which stands as the largest environmental monitoring program globally. This program provides open-access data to facilitate effective management of environmental resources, respond to climate change, and protect life on Earth.

Ariane 6, the vehicle set to carry Sentinel-1D into space, represents Europe’s heavy-lift launch capability and is critical for ensuring the continent’s independent access to space. With its adaptable design, the Ariane 6 can carry various payloads into both low-Earth orbit and beyond, with a launch capacity of nearly 900 tonnes when fully loaded.