Sentinel-6B: new satellite to observe ocean, Pg19

Key Highlights:

• Sentinel-6B, an ocean-tracking satellite, launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Monday.
• Equipped with six science instruments, Sentinel-6B will measure rising sea levels and their global impacts.
• Orbiting at 7.2 km/second, Sentinel-6B completes an Earth revolution every 112 minutes.
• A joint mission by NASA, NOAA (United States), and the European Space Agency, it enhances weather and storm predictions.
• Along with its twin Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich (launched in November 2020), it measures sea levels with accuracy down to approximately one inch over 90% of the oceans.

Detailed Insights:

• Sentinel-6B's data on ocean temperature and sea levels is crucial for accurate weather forecasting and storm predictions.
• The satellite's data aids in securing undersea infrastructure like pipelines and cable networks, and improves shipping services.
• Improved weather forecasts from Sentinel-6B will enable better real-time decisions for safeguarding public property and coastal infrastructure.
• This mission continues a series of satellite launches since the 1990s, primarily by NASA, focused on monitoring sea-level changes from space.
• The data from Sentinel-6B contributes to climate monitoring efforts, helping track the rate of sea-level rise and its effects on coastal regions.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Sea Level Measurement: Determining the height of the ocean's surface relative to a reference point.
• Satellite Orbit: The path a satellite follows as it revolves around Earth, influenced by gravity and velocity.
• Weather Forecasting: Using scientific principles and technology to predict future atmospheric conditions.