Sentinel-1D

Sentinel-1D is an upcoming European radar imaging satellite. It is the second of two additional satellites in the Sentinel-1 constellation, part of the European Union's Copernicus programme on Earth observation. The satellite is equipped with a C-SAR sensor, capable of providing high-resolution imagery regardless of weather conditions.^[6][7][8][9] Sentinel-1D will be launched on Ariane 6 in late 2025.^[10]

Sentinel-1D

Model of a Sentinel-1 satellite (with radar antenna missing)
Mission type	Earth observation
Operator	ESA
Website	Sentinel-1 (ESA)
Mission duration	Planned: 7 years[1]
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type	Sentinel-1
Bus	Prima[2]
Manufacturer	Thales Alenia Space Airbus Defence and Space[1]
Launch mass	2,164 kg (4,771 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date	4 November 2025, 21:03 (2025-11-04UTC21:03) UTC
Rocket	Ariane 62 (VA265)[3][4]
Launch site	Kourou ELA-4[3]
Contractor	Arianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Low Earth
Altitude	693 km[5]
Sentinel-1 ← Sentinel-1C Copernicus ← Sentinel-5A Sentinel-6B →

Timeline

Development contract was signed with Thales Alenia Space of Italy in December 2015.^[11] In November 2022, the satellite's launch was scheduled for the second half of 2024.^[12] In January 2025, ESA signed a contract with Arianespace to launch the satellite in the second half of 2025 on Ariane 6.^[13]

In September 2025 the satellite was transported from the cleanroom in Cannes, France, via Turin, Italy to French Guiana by the Ukrainian Antonov Airlines.^[14][15] At the same time, control teams at ESOC begun simulations of the Sentinel-1D's Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP). This is the first time an ESOC-operated satellite is launching on Ariane 6.^[16] The launch is planned for 4 November 2025.^[17]

Arrival of Sentinel-1D in Kourou

See also

• Spaceflight portal

• 2025 in spaceflight