Copernicus Sentinel-6 in low-resolution mode

Copernicus Sentinel-6 brings, for the first time, synthetic aperture radar into the altimetry reference mission time series. To ensure that no bias is introduced into the time series data, the radar instrument delivers simultaneous conventional low-resolution mode measurements, shown in this image, as well as the improved performance of synthetic aperture radar processing that yields high-resolution mode measurements – as shown in image: Copernicus Sentinel-6 radar altimeter.

To make sure that differences between the historical time series and the new data from Copernicus Sentinel-6 are fully understood, a 12-month tandem flight will take place shortly after launch in which Sentinel-6 flies 30 seconds in time behind its predecessor Jason-3, following the same ground track.