Europe’s Sentinel-1D Earth Observation Satellite Poised for Launch Aboard Ariane 6
Kourou, French guiana – Europe is set to bolster its Earth observation capabilities with the imminent launch of Sentinel-1D, a cutting-edge synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite, aboard the Ariane 6 rocket. Liftoff is scheduled for flight VA 265, utilizing two boosters for the mission.
Sentinel-1D will join its twin, Sentinel-1C, in orbit, eventually replacing sentinel-1A, which has operated for over 11 years-exceeding its planned lifespan. Together, the satellites will orbit 180 degrees apart, optimizing global coverage and providing crucial data for a wide range of applications, including disaster response, environmental monitoring, and maritime security.
the Sentinel-1D mission delivers high-resolution SAR images of Earth’s surface in all weather conditions, day or night. Data from the mission supports Copernicus services and applications such as Arctic sea-ice monitoring, iceberg tracking, oil-spill detection, and monitoring ground deformation caused by earthquakes and volcanic activity. Both Sentinel-1D and Sentinel-1C carry a C-band SAR instrument and an Automatic Identification System (AIS) to enhance ship detection and tracking, providing data on vessel identity, location, and direction. The satellites are also compatible with Galileo and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems.
Ariane 6, Europe’s new heavy launcher, is a key component of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) strategy to ensure independent access to space. The modular rocket stands over 60 meters tall and can weigh nearly 900 tonnes when fully fueled.Ariane 6 is designed to deliver missions to both low-Earth orbit and deep space destinations.
