The Copernicus Sentinel-6B satellite has successfully launched, securing the future of humanity’s most precise record of global sea-level rise. Soaring into space from California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the new satellite is now in orbit, ready to begin its critical work.
This mission is the direct successor to Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, launched in 2020, and represents the latest chapter in a continuous, 30-year data record that began with the Topex-Poseidon mission. Sentinel-6B will use sophisticated radar altimetry to measure the height of the ocean surface with unprecedented accuracy. These millimeter-precise observations are the gold standard for tracking the pace of sea-level rise, a definitive indicator of our warming planet. The data is indispensable for improving climate models and informing policies to protect vulnerable coastal communities worldwide.
Beyond tracking long-term trends, the satellite’s data has immediate practical applications. It will provide vital information on wave height and wind speed, feeding into near-real-time ocean forecasts that guide global shipping and warn of oncoming storms. The mission is a powerhouse of international cooperation, involving the European Commission, ESA, NASA, Eumetsat, and NOAA.
Following its launch, control of Sentinel-6B was established at ESA’s operations centre in Germany. After initial checks, it will be handed over to Eumetsat for its full operational life. By taking over the watch from its predecessor, Sentinel-6B ensures that this irreplaceable climate record continues uninterrupted, providing the essential data needed to understand and respond to our changing oceans for years to come.
