Important Facts of the News
- Date of launch: Tuesday night, 5th November 2025
- Launch location: Kourou space base, French Guiana
- Launch time: 6:02 pm local time (2102 GMT)
- Rocket model: Ariane 6
- Mission type: Third commercial flight since 2024
- Payload: Sentinel-1D Earth observation satellite
- Satellite manufacturer: Thales Alenia Space
- Programme: European Union’s Copernicus programme
- Satellite mass: Over 2 tonnes
- Orbit altitude: 693 kilometres
- Separation timing: 33 minutes 51 seconds after liftoff
The European Ariane 6 launch vehicle has completed another milestone by lifting off from the Kourou space base in French Guiana on Tuesday night. The mission successfully delivered the Sentinel-1D satellite into Earth’s orbit, marking the rocket system’s third commercial mission since it began operations last year.
Sentinel-1D: A New Watchdog for Earth’s Climate
Constructed by Thales Alenia Space, the Sentinel-1D satellite is the latest addition to the European Union’s Copernicus Earth observation initiative. This project aims to support environmental monitoring across the planet, enabling better responses to weather changes and natural disasters.
Advanced Radar for Continuous Earth Monitoring
The satellite is equipped with a sophisticated radar imaging system that allows it to monitor Earth’s surface regardless of weather or light conditions. This capability ensures that data can be collected around the clock, offering critical insights into environmental changes, land deformation, sea ice monitoring, and more.
Weighing over two tonnes, Sentinel-1D was placed into a near-polar orbit at an altitude of 693 kilometres. The launch vehicle and satellite separation took place just over 33 minutes after lift-off, completing yet another precise delivery for the Ariane 6 system.
Expanding the Copernicus Programme
The Sentinel-1D satellite joins the existing fleet under the Copernicus mission, a collaborative European effort to monitor Earth’s land, water, and atmosphere. As climate concerns remain at the forefront of global discussions, such missions play a vital role in delivering real-time data that supports scientific research and policy actions.