ARQUIMEA contributes with its thermal control systems to the launch of the Sentinel-1D satellite, a key piece for European Earth observation.

• The Spanish technology company has contributed to the thermal control system of the satellite’s laser communication terminal. This participation ensures the proper thermal management of one of the satellite’s most critical components.
• The launch of Sentinel-1D marks the completion of a new stage of the Sentinel-1 program, which will provide Europe with high-precision observation capabilities under all weather conditions, strenghtening European strategic autonomy.

Madrid, November 6, 2025. ARQUIMEA, a Spanish technology company with more than 20 years of experience in the space sector, is participating in Sentinel-1D, the fourth satellite in the Sentinel-1 series of the Copernicus program, which was launched on Tuesday, November 4, from the Guiana Space Centre (Kourou, French Guiana).

The Sentinel 1-D satellite wil join its counterpart Sentinel 1-C, launched in December 2024, to ensure the operational continuity of the program. In this context, ARQUIMEA has contributed to two essential technical areas: on the one hand, the thermal control system of the laser communication terminal, which requires thigh thermal precision, stability, and efficiency; and on the other, the manufacturing and integration of arterial Heat Pipes (HP) and Loop Heat Pipes (LHP), as well as the associated radiators, which enable the efficient extraction and radiation of heat from the system’s critical components.

The thermal system has been designed to operate under extreme space conditions, with submillimeter tolerances and strict constraints on mass, volume and interfaces. Thanks to these thermal components developed by ARQUIMEA, the Sentinel 1-D’s laser communication terminal will mantain optimal operating temperature, ensuring high-speed data transfer reliability and laser link integrity.

This launch strenghtens Europe’s Earth observation capabilities, as Sentinel 1-D carries a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instrument that provides high-resolution imagery, day and night, under all weather conditions. Moreover, the mission forms part of a strategic effort to ensure Europe’s autonomous access to space through the Ariane 6 launcher, which carried Sentinel-1D on its third commercial mission.

Through its participation in the Sentinel-1 program, ARQUIMEA reaffirms its role as a strategic technological partner in high-demand missions, contributing to the enhacement of Europe’s space capabilities.

About ARQUIMEA

ARQUIMEA is a Spanish technology company with an international presence, operating in highly demanding technical sectors such as aerospace, defense and security, scientific industry, and fintech.

With over 20 years of experience, it collaborates with major international space agencies – ESA, NASA, and JAXA – as well as leading traditional New Space companies, international consortia, universities and research centers.

The company has established itself as a comprehensive provider capable of designing and manufacturing complete satellites, thermal systems, structures, deployment mechanisms, avionics, microelectronics, and optical instruments – bringing Spanish space technology to leading international missions.