Simonetta Cheli, ESA's Director of Earth Observation Programmes, David Cavaillolès, CEO of Arianespace, and Toni Tolker-Nielsen, Director of ESA's Space Transportation. Credits: Arianespace

Ariane 6 Selected to Launch Sentinel-1D

Ariane 6 has been selected to launch two missions for European institutions in 2025. Meanwhile, preparations for the second flight are going on

On January 28, 2025, during the 17th European Space Conference, Arianespace signed two Ariane 6 launch contracts with the European Commission, the European Space Agency, and EUMETSAT.

The European heavy-lift rocket has been selected to deliver the new Sentinel-1D satellite in the second half of 2025. Meanwhile, the launch of the Metop-SG-A1 satellite is now scheduled for August 2025 aboard the VA264 mission, the second Ariane 6 commercial flight.

Simonetta Cheli, ESA's Director of Earth Observation Programmes, David Cavaillolès, CEO of Arianespace, and Toni Tolker-Nielsen, Director of ESA's Space Transportation. Credits: Arianespace
Simonetta Cheli, ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, David Cavaillolès, CEO of Arianespace, and Toni Tolker-Nielsen, Director of ESA’s Space Transportation. Credits: Arianespace

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A boost for European EO programs

The deployment of Sentinel-1D will complete the upgrade of the Sentinel-1 constellation, one of the most important in the Copernicus satellite fleet, the Earth Observation component of the EU’s Space Programme. The new spacecraft will be launched aboard an Ariane 62 ( two side boosters) and will join its sibling, Sentinel-1C, launched last December on a Vega C, thereby replacing Sentinel-1A, launched in 2014.

Sentinel-1 provides Copernicus with advanced Earth surface SAR imagery services, enhancing the monitoring of Arctic sea ice, ground deformation, and volcanic activity, as well as the mapping of forests, water, and soil resources.

The new satellites of the constellation are equipped with an integrated Automatic Identification System, which enables precise tracking of maritime traffic thanks to four onboard antennas.

Rendering of a Sentinel-1 satellite. Credits: ESA/Mlabspace
Rendering of a Sentinel-1 satellite. Credits: ESA/Mlabspace

As part of the EUMETSAT Polar System – Second Generation (EPS-SG) program, the Metop-SG-A1 satellite will enhance global weather and climate observation from polar orbit. It will deliver high-resolution data on temperature, precipitation, clouds, winds, sea ice, aerosols, soil moisture, volcanic dust, and more.

Copernicus will also benefit from this mission thanks to the Sentinel-5 payload carried onboard the satellite. A high-resolution spectrometer system that will support the monitoring of ozone, methane, carbon monoxide, and other trace gases, improving global air quality control.


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Increasing Ariane 6 launch cadence

The announcement of the two missions highlights the commitment of European institutions and Arianespace to boost the Ariane 6 launch program. Last year, the company stated its goal of achieving six flights in 2025.

Ariane 62 for the VA263 mission on the pad at Kourou. Credits: Arinegroup
Ariane 62 for the VA263 mission on the pad at Kourou. Credits: Arinegroup

The second launch, which will be the first commercial mission of the Ariane 6 rocket, is currently in preparation. The Ariane 62 vehicle is assembled on the launch pad at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Mission VA263 will deliver the CSO-3 satellite into a sun-synchronous orbit for the French Air and Space Force’s Space Command (CDE), as part of the Multinational Space-based Imaging System (MUSIS) program. This constellation is designed to provide high-resolution imagery for national defense needs and military operations.

Today, Arianespace announced that the launch is now scheduled for February 26 at 16:24 UTC.


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Francesco Sebastiano Moro

Francesco Sebastiano Moro

Aerospace engineering student at University of Padua, passionate of space and aerospace sector.

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