Europe’s Ariane 6 is set to launch Sentinel-1D, the fourth satellite in the Copernicus Sentinel-1 radar mission, on Tuesday, 4 November 2025 at 22:03 CET (18:03 local time) from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The European Space Agency (ESA) will provide live coverage, including pre-launch updates and post-launch briefings, via ESA Web TV and the event page.
Live stream schedule (CET)
- 21:15 – Broadcast begins
- 21:35 – Streaming from Kourou
- 21:38 – Introductions, interviews and mission status updates
- 22:03 – Liftoff and live commentary
- 23:22 – Acquisition of signal
- 23:30 – Press conference
- 00:15 – End of press conference and streaming
Why Sentinel-1D matters
- Expands the Copernicus Sentinel-1 radar constellation, ensuring resilient, frequent coverage of Earth’s surface for emergency response, environmental monitoring and maritime safety.
- Will replace Sentinel-1A after commissioning, operating alongside Sentinel-1C to maintain timely data delivery.
- Supports the European Union’s Space Programme with full, open and free-of-charge data access policies that underpin operational Copernicus information services.
Spacecraft and instruments
- C-band SAR (synthetic aperture radar) provides high-resolution, day-and-night, all-weather imaging of land and sea, critical for disaster mapping, land motion studies and sea-ice monitoring.
- Onboard Automatic Identification System (AIS) enhances detection and tracking of ships; operating in tandem with Sentinel-1C improves observation frequency for maritime domain awareness.
- Compatibility with the Galileo navigation system and other GNSS supports precise orbit determination and geolocation.
About Ariane 6
Ariane 6 is ESA’s heavy-lift launcher designed to provide Europe with autonomous, reliable access to space. With a modular architecture, it can support missions from low Earth orbit to deep space. The rocket stands over 60 metres tall and can approach 900 tonnes at liftoff depending on configuration and payload.
What to watch for on launch day
- Liftoff at 22:03 CET with live commentary from Kourou.
- Acquisition of signal (AOS) at 23:22 CET, marking initial contact after spacecraft separation procedures.
- Media briefing starting at 23:30 CET, followed by the end of official streaming at 00:15 CET.
Sentinel-1D continues Europe’s long-term investment in space-based radar imaging, ensuring continuity for users ranging from disaster response teams and environmental agencies to maritime authorities and climate services. The launch on Ariane 6 reinforces Europe’s space-access capability while advancing operational Earth observation for the decade ahead. For the full programme and live video, visit the official ESA launch page.
