The Copernicus Sentinel-1D satellite, launched last November, is now fully operational after successfully completing its critical in-orbit commissioning phase. With all four Sentinel-1 satellites having now been deployed, this achievement marks a major milestone for this flagship radar mission—a journey that began more than a decade ago and that has helped pave the way for the future of Earth observation.
When Sentinel-1A—the first of this generation—launched in 2014, it marked more than the start of a single mission; it signaled the beginning of Copernicus, the Earth observation component of the European Union’s space program.
Its success demonstrated that Europe could deliver consistent, high-quality Earth observation data for the Copernicus Services, and more.
The Sentinel-1 mission was designed as a constellation of two identical satellites orbiting Earth 180 degrees apart for optimal coverage—so in 2016, Sentinel-1B was launched to pair with Sentinel-1A.
The Sentinel-1B mission came to an end in August 2022 after experiencing a technical anomaly that rendered it unable to acquire data. However, Sentinel-1C was launched in 2024 to restore the constellation, followed by Sentinel-1D a year later.
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Acquired on April 13, 2014, at 23:57 GMT (14 April at 01:57 CEST) by Sentinel-1A, this image shows a transect over the northern part of the Antarctica Peninsula. It was acquired in the satellite’s ‘strip map’ mode with a swath width of 80 km and in dual polarization. The colors indicate how the land, ice and water reflect the radar signal differently. Credit: European Space Agency
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This image from Sentinel-1A’s radar shows the metropolitan area of Portugal’s capital, Lisbon. Flowing in from the upper-right corner is the Tagus River. The river flows west through Portugal, emptying into the Atlantic Ocean at Lisbon. Its estuary—visible at the centre of the image—is a natural reserve and Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. With extensive mudflats, saltmarshes, reedbeds and human-made salt pans, the area is important for around 16 species of wintering or staging waterbirds, numerous species of breeding birds, and the European otter. Activities outside of the reserve include fishing, shellfish collecting and agriculture, as we can see by the geometric shapes of agricultural plots. Lisbon’s city centre sits on the northern shore of the Tagus River, and is visible by the bright radar reflections from buildings and other structures. We can also see the reflections from the suspension bridge that connects Lisbon to Almada on the southern shore. Further east, though not as clear, is the Vasco da Gama Bridge, the longest in Europe, at 17.2 km. Credit: Copernicus data/ESA (2014)
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Sentinel-1 radar data show ground displacement of the San Francisco Bay Area. Hot spots are clearly observed, including the Hayward fault running north–south of the central-right side of the image. Subsidence of the newly reclaimed land in the San Rafael Bay on the left is also visible, while an uplift of land is visible in the lower right, possibly a result of a recovering groundwater level after a four-year long drought that ended in autumn 2015. Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2015–16) / ESA SEOM INSARAP study / PPO.labs / Norut / NGU
The mission delivers high-resolution synthetic aperture radar images of Earth’s surface in all weathers, day-and-night. The data are critical for monitoring everything from natural disasters and sea ice to land deformation and deforestation. The constellation’s all-weather, day-and-night imaging has become indispensable for scientists, policymakers and emergency responders worldwide.
Perhaps most remarkable is the longevity of the data record—the satellite series is on track to provide an unprecedented two decades of continuous radar observations. This long-term dataset strengthens Europe’s leadership in tracking climate change and environmental shifts, offering a reliable foundation for decision-making and research in an increasingly uncertain world.
The Sentinel-1 mission has also broken ground in another crucial area: sustainability in space. Sentinel-1C and Sentinel-1D carry a world premiere of a new separation mechanism which will help avoid space debris, underscoring the European Space Agency’s and the European Commission’s commitment to clean space principles.
With the last of the first-generation Sentinel-1 satellites now beginning its operational life in orbit, ESA and the EC are looking ahead.
ESA’s Sentinel-1 Mission Manager, Nuno Miranda, said, “Sentinel-1 began as a trailblazer. With the successful commissioning of Sentinel-1D, it now stands as a cornerstone—reflecting Europe’s achievements while serving as a launchpad for what comes next.
“For several years, we have been advancing a follow-on mission: Sentinel-1 Next Generation, designed to ensure continuity of measurements well into the mid-2030s and beyond.
“These future satellites are expected to deliver enhanced performance and new capabilities, building on the legacy of their predecessors while addressing emerging scientific and societal needs.”
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European Space Agency
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Sentinel-1D goes live: A milestone for Europe’s radar mission (2026, May 1)
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