Sea-level monitoring satellite lifts off

On 21 November, a Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, US, carrying the Copernicus Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite – the first of two identical satellites to provide critical measurements of sea-level change.

Sea-level rise is one of the biggest threats we face as a consequence of climate change. Satellite data show that global mean sea level has risen, on average, by just over 3 mm every year since 1993. Even more worryingly, this rate of rise has increased in recent years. The role of Copernicus Sentinel-6 is to continue the critical ‘gold standard’ record that was started by Topex Poseidon and then the Jason series of missions. Not only will extend the legacy of sea-surface height measurements, but will measure with greater precision than before.

The Copernicus Sentinel-6 mission is a true example of international cooperation. While Sentinel-6 is one of the European Union’s family of Copernicus missions, its implementation is the result of the unique collaboration between ESA, NASA, Eumetsat and NOAA, with contribution from the French space agency CNES.

Read more about the Copernicus Sentinel-6 mission.