Why in News?
Sentinel-6B, a joint NASA–NOAA–ESA ocean-monitoring satellite, was launched from Vandenberg to provide high-precision global sea-level data, improving weather, storm, and flood forecasting and strengthening coastal protection.
Description:
- Sentinel-6B is a next-generation ocean-observing satellite launched in November 2025.
- It is designed to provide high-precision sea-level measurements, continuing a 30-year global record of ocean altimetry.
Implementing Agencies:
Sentinel-6B is a joint mission involving:
- NASA (US)
- NOAA (US)
- European Space Agency (ESA)
- EUMETSAT (operations)
- European Commission (Copernicus Programme support)
This mission is part of the Copernicus Earth Observation Programme of the EU.
Launch Details:
- Launch Site: Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
- Launch Date: 17–18 November 2025
- Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO), approx. 1,336 km altitude
- Orbital Speed: ~7.2 km/sec
- Orbital Period: ~112 minutes
Objectives:
Sentinel-6B’s main scientific purposes:
- Measure global sea-level rise with accuracy up to ~2.3 cm (1 inch).
- Monitor ocean temperature and surface wind speed.
- Track climate change indicators such as thermal expansion of oceans.
- Improve weather forecasting and storm/flood prediction.
- Support maritime safety, shipping routes, and protection of undersea cables.
Relation to Sentinel-6A (Michael Freilich):
- Sentinel-6B follows Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, launched in Nov 2020.
- Together they provide continuous sea-level records from the 1990s (TOPEX/Poseidon → Jason-1 → Jason-2 → Jason-3 → Sentinel-6A/B).
Importance for Climate Studies:
- Oceans absorb over 90% of excess global heat.
- Sea-level rise is a core climate-change indicator.
- Sentinel-6B helps in IPCC assessments, long-term climate modelling, and coastal planning.
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