Connect Group: A Trusted Aerospace Partner in the Sentinel-1D Journey to Space

At Connect Group, we are proud to take part in Europe’s ongoing journey to space through our contribution to the Copernicus Sentinel-1D satellite, launched aboard Ariane 6. Our expertise in high-reliability electronics and certified manufacturing processes is key to ensuring the precision, quality, and resilience required for missions of this scale.

From our facilities in Ypres, Belgium, we supported the programme by delivering advanced electronic systems designed to perform in the most demanding space environments. Our operations follow AS9100D and ISO 9001 certifications, ensuring full traceability, consistency, and excellence throughout the entire production process.

Developed by Thales Alenia Space for the European Commission under contract with the European Space Agency (ESA), Sentinel-1D is a vital element of the Copernicus Programme, the world’s most advanced Earth-observation system. The satellite was successfully launched on November 4, 2025, from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou by Arianespace, reinforcing Europe’s leadership in space technology, sustainability, and environmental monitoring.

Our collaboration in this mission reflects the strength of long-term partnerships across the European aerospace ecosystem — where reliability, innovation, and teamwork come together to advance the frontiers of space exploration.

The Sentinel-1D mission is part of the Copernicus Programme, Europe’s flagship initiative for Earth observation.
Equipped with a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Sentinel-1D can capture high-resolution images of the Earth’s surface day and night, in all weather conditions. Its data supports critical applications such as climate monitoring, natural disaster assessment, maritime safety, and agricultural planning.

Beyond its technical achievements, Sentinel-1D strengthens Europe’s autonomy in space, ensuring that environmental and security data remain reliable, continuous, and accessible to public authorities, researchers, and citizens worldwide.

Earth Observation Performance

Precise insertion into orbit ensures uninterrupted radar imaging and global coverage — enabling scientists and agencies to observe our planet with unprecedented accuracy.

Cutting-Edge Radar Technology

The advanced SAR instrument delivers detailed Earth imagery regardless of weather or lighting, crucial for real-time environmental and emergency response.

The Copernicus Programme

Managed by the European Commission with ESA, Copernicus provides open and free Earth-observation data, serving as a cornerstone for sustainability, innovation, and scientific collaboration.

Ariane 6 and European Space Autonomy

With this successful mission, Ariane 6 confirms its role as Europe’s next-generation launcher, securing independent access to space and reinforcing industrial cooperation across the continent.

As collaborators in the Sentinel-1D project, we contributed advanced electronic systems designed to meet the extreme reliability and performance demands of space environments.

Our operations follow AS9100D and ISO 9001 standards, guaranteeing consistent quality and continuous improvement across every phase of design, production, and validation. This reflects our ongoing commitment to excellence and to meeting the rigorous standards required by space and aerospace partners.

Through this collaboration, we continue to expand our expertise, foster innovation, and demonstrate the reliability of our electronic solutions in one of the most demanding industries on Earth — and beyond.

Our participation in Sentinel-1D reflects not only our technological capabilities but also our vision for the future — a future where innovation in electronics contributes to a better understanding of our planet.
We remain committed to supporting Europe’s space missions with precision, reliability, and excellence, helping transform scientific ambition into measurable impact.