A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch from California early Monday, carrying a vital ocean-monitoring satellite designed to provide highly accurate measurements of global sea-level rise. The Sentinel-6B mission is a collaborative effort between several international space and climate agencies, continuing a decades-long project to track changes in Earth's oceans.
The launch is set for 12:21 a.m. Eastern Time on November 17 from Vandenberg Space Force Base. This mission will place the Sentinel-6B satellite into orbit to work alongside its predecessor, ensuring an uninterrupted record of sea surface height, a key indicator of climate change.
Key Takeaways
- SpaceX will launch the Sentinel-6B satellite on a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
- The mission is a joint project between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Union, Eumetsat, and NOAA.
- Sentinel-6B will continue a long-term record of sea-level measurements, a critical tool for climate change monitoring.
- The satellite will join its twin, Sentinel 6 Michael Frelich, in an 830-mile-high orbit to ensure data continuity and accuracy.
A Crucial Mission for Climate Science
The Sentinel-6B satellite represents the latest advancement in a continuous effort to monitor Earth's oceans from space. As part of the European Union's Copernicus program, its primary objective is to measure the height of the sea surface with unprecedented accuracy. This data is essential for understanding the rate and impact of climate change.
For more than three decades, a series of satellites has provided a consistent record of ocean height. Sentinel-6B will take over this responsibility, ensuring that scientists and policymakers have access to reliable information for years to come. The mission continues the work of its identical predecessor, Sentinel 6 Michael Frelich, which was launched in November 2020.
Rising Tides
According to data from the Copernicus program, the average height of the world's oceans has risen by nearly 10 centimeters (almost 4 inches) over the past 25 years. Missions like Sentinel-6B are considered the gold standard for tracking this critical consequence of a warming planet.
By providing an unbroken stream of data, the mission helps researchers model future sea-level rise, improve weather forecasts, and support sustainable ocean management. The information gathered will be vital for coastal communities around the world preparing for the effects of higher sea levels.
Advanced Technology Orbiting Earth
To achieve its scientific goals, the Sentinel-6B satellite is equipped with a suite of sophisticated instruments. The centerpiece is a state-of-the-art radar altimeter, developed by the European Space Agency. This device sends microwave pulses down to the ocean surface and measures the time it takes for them to return, allowing for precise calculations of sea surface height.
Enhancing Accuracy from Above
However, the accuracy of these measurements can be affected by the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere. To correct for this, the satellite also carries an advanced microwave radiometer provided by NASA.
This instrument measures atmospheric water content, enabling scientists to refine the altimeter data and achieve greater precision. The combination of these technologies ensures that the measurements are among the most accurate available for climate studies.
"Monitoring sea-level rise is high on the global agenda. The Copernicus Sentinel-6 mission has become the gold standard reference mission to monitor and record this key consequence of climate change."
The satellite itself weighs 3,175 pounds (1,440 kilograms) and will operate from a high-inclination orbit 830 miles (1,336 kilometers) above Earth. This vantage point allows it to map approximately 95% of the world's ice-free oceans every 10 days.
An International Partnership
The Sentinel-6B mission highlights the power of international collaboration in addressing global challenges. The project is a joint effort involving multiple agencies from both Europe and the United States.
The key partners in this mission include:
- The European Commission: Manages the overall Copernicus program.
- The European Space Agency (ESA): Developed the primary radar altimeter instrument and is responsible for the satellite's development.
- NASA: Provided the microwave radiometer, the launch vehicle, and launch services.
- Eumetsat: The European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites will operate the satellite and process its data.
- NOAA: The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will also contribute to operations and data distribution.
The French space agency, CNES, also provided significant support for the mission. This global teamwork ensures that the data collected will be widely available to the international scientific community.
A Tandem Operation
For its first year in orbit, Sentinel-6B will fly in tandem with its twin, Sentinel 6 Michael Frelich. The two satellites will follow the same orbital path, allowing for precise cross-calibration between their instruments. This process guarantees that the long-term data record remains consistent and reliable, even as older satellites are replaced by new ones.
The Launch and Rocket Recovery
SpaceX will use its workhorse Falcon 9 rocket for the mission. The launch is scheduled from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base, a location ideal for placing satellites into polar orbits.
Following a successful liftoff, the Falcon 9's upper stage is expected to deploy the Sentinel-6B satellite approximately 57 minutes into the flight. The satellite will then use its own propulsion system to reach its final operational orbit.
A key feature of SpaceX launches is the reusability of its rockets. The first stage booster supporting this mission is on its third flight, having previously launched two batches of Starlink internet satellites. About nine minutes after liftoff, the booster is scheduled to return to Earth for a controlled landing back at Vandenberg. This reusability significantly reduces the cost of accessing space and is a hallmark of SpaceX's launch operations.