Sentinel 1CD Blog

This blog is dedicated to the Sentinel 1CD launch campaign at CSG Kourou. Here, we’ll be sharing the highlights of this incredible journey with our colleagues, families, and friends, bringing you along for every key moment of the campaign!

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Sentinel-1D arrives to French Guiana

Thursday, 8th of September

The Copernicus Sentinel-1D satellite has arrived in French Guiana!

Only 9 months after the launch of Sentinel-1C, on 5th December 2024, we are back in French Guiana for a new endeavour.

SENTINEL-1D JOURNEY

Between the 1st and 2nd of September the Sentinel-1D spacecraft was transported by truck from its last integration and test location in Cannes, France, to Turin, Italy.

After waiting for a few days at Thales Alenia Space’s facilities in Turin, it was loaded on an Antonov aircraft and has safely landed in Kourou, French Guiana, on the 11th of September.

An Antonov cargo plane on an airport runway during sunset, with ground crew preparing for the unloading of a satellite.
Sentinel-1D landed onboard Antonov aircraft
Close-up of the wing and engine of an Antonov aircraft against a sunrise backdrop at the airport.
Welcome Sentinel-1D in French Guiana!

THE Sentinel‑1D TEAM WELCOMES THE SPACECRAfT

It was an early start for the Sentinel-1D team, with a 3:15 a.m. departure from the hotel in Kourou to drive to Cayenne Félix Eboué Airport with a target arrival at 4:30. Cayenne is approximately a one-hour drive from the European Spaceport (CSG), that is based just outside the town of Kourou.

The Sentinel-1D was planned to land at 5:00 a.m., but the flight landed about 45 minutes ahead of schedule. We missed the landing just for a few minutes!

The ESA team convened to oversee the offloading of Sentinel-1D and its ground support equipment from the Antonov aircraft, together with the teams from the spacecraft manufacturer (Thales Alenia Space – Italy), Arianespace and Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES).

The entire process, including transferring assets onto dedicated transportation, requires approximately three hours. Upon completion, the spacecraft and equipment are organized into a convoy accompanied by a police escort, ensuring a secure transfer to CSG, where the spacecraft will undergo a series of launch preparation activities to ensure it is ready for lift-off.

A group of four people wearing bright orange safety vests and holding helmets stand on an airstrip near an Antonov aircraft during sunrise.
ESA Sentinel-1D team convened to witness spacecraft offloading
The Antonov aircraft with its tail section open, preparing to unload cargo, at Kourou Airport in French Guiana during dawn.
Antonov ready for offloading
The Antonov aircraft with its tail ramp lowered, surrounded by crew members in safety vests on the tarmac.
Sentinel-1D spacecraft transport container offloading
A truck unloading the Sentinel-1D spacecraft from an Antonov aircraft at an airport, with team members in safety vests overseeing the process.
Sentinel-1D spacecraft transport container offloaded
The tail section of an Antonov aircraft with the logo visible, unloading cargo at a runway, as workers in safety vests oversee the operation.
Sentinel-1D equipment transport container offloading
A truck transporting the Sentinel-1D satellite covered in protective wrapping approaching a large building at the European Spaceport in French Guiana.
Sentinel-1D spacecraft transport container arrival at CSG

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