European Sovereignty Monitor

Defence and space

Sentinel-1D becomes fully operational, restoring Europe's radar Earth observation

ESA declared Sentinel-1D fully operational, restoring the two satellite C band radar constellation for the Copernicus programme lost when Sentinel-1B failed in 2021, giving Europe continuous all weather day and night Earth observation again.

Verified European Space Agency press release, 1 May 2026

What it does not test. This does not establish any new funding decision beyond completion of the existing satellite's commissioning.

How this item counts. No movement: no answer to who owns, who operates, whose law governs or who made the parts changes. Weight 0. Restores existing EU Copernicus radar capacity; owner/operator/law/parts unchanged. European Sovereignty Index

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