Sentinel-6B satellite launched to monitor rising sea levels

The Sentinel-6B satellite, launched on November 17, is set to play a crucial role in monitoring global sea levels, providing precise data on rising oceans and climate change. A collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency, EUMETSAT, and NOAA, the satellite will continue the mission of its predecessor, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, offering critical insights to help protect coastal communities from flooding and storm surges.

Sentinel-6B’s primary goal is to provide uninterrupted, high-precision measurements of global sea levels, which are rising due to warming oceans and melting ice, according to BGR. 

“Understanding tidal patterns down to the inch is critical in protecting how we use our oceans every day on Earth,” said Nicky Fox, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. “Sentinel-6B will extend the work of Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich by delivering measurements that strengthen the forecast used by coastal communities.”

The satellite’s data will help monitor intensifying coastal flooding and storm surges, providing crucial information to safeguard communities.

Sentinel-6B will work in tandem with its predecessor for about a year to calibrate and cross-validate measurements. This ensures continuity in the data stream critical for climate research, forecasting, and planning.

After the handover, Sentinel-6B will become the primary satellite for sea-level monitoring, operating under EUMETSAT’s oversight. The satellite features advanced technology, including the Poseidon-4 radar altimeter for precise sea-level measurements, an advanced microwave radiometer for climate corrections, and improved positioning hardware.

“Sentinel-6B is a key upgrade that secures almost three decades of measurements and supports improved decision-making for our planet’s changing oceans,” said NASA.

The satellite will cover about 90% of Earth’s ice-free oceans every 10 days.

By Sabina Mammadli