Serco teams support the successful launches of Copernicus Sentinel-1D and Sentinel-6B satellites

Serco, the international provider of services to governments, has supported the successful launch and early orbit operations of two new Copernicus satellites: Copernicus Sentinel-1D, launched on 4 November 2025 on an Ariane 6 rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, and Copernicus Sentinel-6B, launched on 17 November 2025 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. 

Copernicus Sentinel-1D satellites is now operated from ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, and Copernicus Sentinel-6B is operated by EUMETSAT. Under the Copernicus Operations Support Services (COP-2) contract, Serco – together with partners of CS Group, Deimos, and Telespazio – delivers end-to-end flight operations support for the Copernicus fleet.

Strengthening Europe’s view of land and ocean

Sentinel-1D

Sentinel-1D is the final spacecraft of the first Sentinel-1 radar series. Operating as a pair with Sentinel-1C, it provides continuous radar imaging of the Earth — day and night and in all weather conditions. Its data are used across Europe to monitor floods and landslides, follow changes in ice cover, support maritime safety and help protect communities and critical infrastructure.

Sentinel-6B

Sentinel-6B continues a unique thirty-year record of precise sea-level measurements. The satellite will monitor almost ninety per cent of the world’s oceans, providing high-quality data used worldwide for climate analysis, coastal management and accurate marine forecasting.

Serco-led teams supported both launches within thirteen days, one of the shortest intervals recorded on ESOC’s mission board. Since early 2024, COP-2 teams have contributed to more than half of ESA’s launches.

Their work covered mission simulations, launch and early-orbit operations, flight control, flight dynamics, collision avoidance, ground systems and coordination with global ground stations.

Ian Shurmer, Sentinel-1D Flight Operations Director at the European Space Agency, said:

"The COP-2 personnel performed a critical role in the preparation and successful execution of the Sentinel-1D and Sentinel-6B Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP). Their team spirit, technical expertise, and professionalism make them a pleasure to work with."

Eduardo Zornoza, Head of the Copernicus Sentinels Altimetry & Atmospheric Missions Operations Unit (OPS-OEL) and Spacecraft Operations Manager during the Sentinel-6B LEOP, said:

"The COP-2 personnel have made an outstanding contribution to the preparation and execution of the LEOP of Sentinel-6B. Their expertise, reliability, and commitment have been greatly appreciated and are surely a key factor for this big team success."

Islam Alizada, Senior Contract Manager at Serco, said:

"Serco is proud to support these critical activities in parallel with maintaining the flying Sentinels in operations. All these achieved thanks to the professionalism, dedication of Serco and our Partners employees, and I am delightful to celebrate this important milestone together! I would like to thank our Customer ESA for the excellent collaboration, the enablement, and the trust in us, without these this would have been impossible to achieve."

About Copernicus

Copernicus is part of the EU Space Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the European Commission in partnership with ESA, EUMETSAT, and other organisations. It provides free and open data to support environmental policy, climate resilience, security and services for citizens in Europe and worldwide.

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