The European Space Agency launched Sentinel‑1D on Nov. 4 from Kourou aboard an Ariane 6 rocket to strengthen Copernicus' radar imaging capabilities for weather, disaster response and maritime monitoring. Sentinel‑1D will operate with Sentinel‑1C and replace the 11‑year‑old Sentinel‑1A, offering high‑resolution synthetic‑aperture radar images day or night and in all weather. The Ariane 6 completed its third commercial flight and inserted the satellite into sun‑synchronous orbit in just over 30 minutes.
ESA Launches Sentinel‑1D on Ariane 6 — New Radar Satellite to Boost Weather, Disaster and Maritime Monitoring
The European Space Agency launched Sentinel‑1D on Nov. 4 from Kourou aboard an Ariane 6 rocket to strengthen Copernicus' radar imaging capabilities for weather, disaster response and maritime monitoring. Sentinel‑1D will operate with Sentinel‑1C and replace the 11‑year‑old Sentinel‑1A, offering high‑resolution synthetic‑aperture radar images day or night and in all weather. The Ariane 6 completed its third commercial flight and inserted the satellite into sun‑synchronous orbit in just over 30 minutes.
08:05, 05.11.2025Technology
ESA Deploys Sentinel‑1D from Kourou Aboard Ariane 6
The European Space Agency (ESA) launched Sentinel‑1D on Nov. 4 aboard an Ariane 6 heavy‑lift rocket from the agency's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The mission expands Europe's Copernicus Sentinel‑1 constellation, providing vital radar imagery to support disaster response, climate research and maritime monitoring.
The Ariane 6 — standing about 60 meters (roughly 200 feet) tall — lifted off at 6:02 p.m. local time. Arianespace, contracted by ESA, reported that the rocket completed its third commercial flight and placed Sentinel‑1D into a sun‑synchronous orbit in just over half an hour.
Sentinel‑1D will operate alongside Sentinel‑1C and is intended to take over the duties of Sentinel‑1A, which has been in orbit for 11 years and is now functioning beyond its planned lifetime. All Sentinel‑1 spacecraft carry synthetic‑aperture radar (SAR) instruments that capture high‑resolution images of Earth's surface regardless of weather or lighting conditions.
These radar capabilities are critical for a range of applications — from rapid flood mapping and sea‑ice monitoring to tracking oil spills and vessel detection. Copernicus data are provided free of charge and are widely used by emergency managers, maritime authorities, environmental agencies and scientists.
"The Ariane 6 production ramp‑up is now well underway, guaranteeing Europe's sovereign access to space," said Martin Sion, CEO of ArianeGroup, underscoring the strategic importance of independent launch capability.
The Copernicus Sentinel‑1 programme is a cornerstone of Europe's earth‑observation efforts, managed under the European Union's Copernicus initiative with ESA as a key implementing partner. Sentinel‑1D's addition helps ensure continuity and increased capacity for timely, mission‑critical radar observations.