Online media briefings ahead of Sentinel-1D launch

The European Space Agency, in collaboration with the European Commission, Thales Alenia Space and Arianespace, invites media representatives to attend a series of online briefings ahead of the launch of Sentinel-1D.

These multilingual sessions will offer exclusive insights into the mission, its objectives and the collaborative efforts behind Europe’s Copernicus Earth observation programme.

Briefing schedule

• 29 October, 14:00–15:00 CET (German)

Speakers:

Julia Kubanek, Earth Observation Campaign Coordinator, ESA

Hugo Zunker, Policy Officer, DG for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS), Unit D3 – Earth Observation, European Commission

• 29 October, 15:00–16:00 CET (Spanish)

Speaker: Ramon Torres Cuesta, Copernicus Senior Advisor, ESA

• 30 October, 08:30–09:30 CET (English)

Speakers:

Simonetta Cheli, Director of Earth Observation, ESA

Mauro Facchini, Head of Copernicus Unit, European Commission (DEFIS)

Giampiero Di Paolo, Deputy CEO, Senior Vice President Observation, Exploration and Navigation Domain, Thales Alenia Space

David Cavaillolès, CEO, Arianespace

• 30 October, 09:30–10:30 CET (French)

Speakers:

Simonetta Cheli, Director of Earth Observation, ESA

Mauro Facchini, Head of Copernicus Unit, European Commission (DEFIS)

Nicola Saggini, Head of AIT Test and Operations Management Department in Italy, Thales Alenia Space

David Cavaillolès, CEO, Arianespace

• 30 October, 10:30–11:30 CET (Italian)

Speakers:

Simonetta Cheli, Director of Earth Observation, ESA

Mauro Facchini, Head of Copernicus Unit, European Commission (DEFIS)

Enrico Zampolini, Vice President Observation & Navigation Domain Italy, Thales Alenia Space

Access links will be provided upon registration via https://blogs.esa.int/forms/esa-media-briefing-form/. Please choose the briefing you wish to take part in to receive connection details. Deadline for registration: 27 October, 17:00 CET.

Contact for media: media@esa.int

About Sentinel-1D

The Sentinel-1D satellite forms part of Copernicus, the European Union’s flagship Earth observation initiative within its Space Programme. Copernicus is overseen and financed by the European Union, with ESA providing additional support.

Sentinel-1D is being developed by Thales Alenia Space — the mission’s prime contractor — which is a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%). The satellite was delivered to Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 11 September 2025 in preparation for launch with an Ariane 6 rocket by Arianespace.

About Ariane 6

Ariane 6 is Europe’s heavy launcher and a key element of ESA’s efforts to ensure autonomous access to space for Europe’s citizens. Its modular and versatile design allows it to launch all missions from low-Earth orbit into deep space. Standing over 60 m tall, Ariane 6 weighs almost 900 tonnes when launched with a full payload.

Ariane 6 has three stages: two or four boosters, and a main and upper stage. For this launch, the rocket will be in its two-booster configuration.

www.esa.int/copernicus

https://www.copernicus.eu/en

Images

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https://www.esa-photolibrary.com/

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For questions or more information related to ESA images, please contact directly spaceinimages@esa.int

Videos

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https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos

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Social Media

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About the European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.  

ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.  

ESA has 23 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia are Associate Members.  

ESA has established formal cooperation with four Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.  

By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat forthe development of meteorological missions.  

Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int.

About the European Commission

The Directorate General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) leads the European Commission’s activities in the European defence industry and European space sectors. The European Commission is the owner and programme manager of the EU Space Programme. Its activities include assessing current trends, identifying emerging challenges, and ensuring that the objectives of the Space Programme are aligned with broader EU priorities such as innovation, economic growth, and security. 

More about the role of the Commission here.