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\t\t\t\t\t\t01\/05\/2026<\/span> The Copernicus Sentinel-1D satellite, launched last November, is now fully operational after successfully completing its critical in-orbit commissioning phase.<\/p>\n With all four Sentinel-1 satellites having now been deployed, this achievement marks a major milestone for this flagship radar mission \u2013 a journey that began more than a decade ago and that has helped pave the way for the future of Earth observation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n When Sentinel-1A \u2013 the first of this generation \u2013 launched in 2014, it marked more than the start of a single mission; it signalled the beginning of Copernicus, the Earth observation component of the European Union\u2019s space programme.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Its success demonstrated that Europe could deliver consistent, high-quality Earth observation data for the Copernicus Services, and more.<\/p>\n The Sentinel-1 mission was designed as a constellation of two identical satellites orbiting Earth 180 degrees apart for optimal coverage \u2013 so in 2016, Sentinel-1B was launched to pair with Sentinel-1A.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Sentinel-1B mission came to an end\u00a0in 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.<\/p>\n The mission delivers high-resolution synthetic aperture radar images of Earth\u2019s 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\u2019s all-weather, day-and-night imaging has become indispensable for scientists, policymakers and emergency responders worldwide.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Perhaps most remarkable is the longevity of the data record \u2013 the satellite series is on track to provide an unprecedented two decades of continuous radar observations. This long-term dataset strengthens Europe\u2019s leadership in tracking climate change and environmental shifts, offering a reliable foundation for decision-making and research in an increasingly uncertain world.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The carousel of images above<\/b> offers a mere glimpse of what the four Sentinel-1 satellites have returned over the last 12 years.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0new separation mechanism\u00a0which will help avoid space debris, underscoring the European Space Agency\u2019s and the European Commission\u2019s commitment to clean space principles.<\/p>\n With the last of the first-generation Sentinel-1 satellites now beginning its operational life in orbit, ESA and the EC are looking ahead.<\/p>\n ESA\u2019s Sentinel-1 Mission Manger, Nuno Miranda, said, \u201cSentinel-1 began as a trailblazer. With the successful commissioning of Sentinel-1D, it now stands as a cornerstone \u2013 reflecting Europe\u2019s achievements while serving as a launchpad for what comes next.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cFor 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThese 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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