A collaborative initiative between the United States and Europe is set to launch the Sentinel-6B satellite, aimed at monitoring ocean levels worldwide, from Vandenberg Space Force Base. If weather conditions permit, the launch will occur on Sunday night at 9:21 p.m. aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex-4.
Nine minutes after liftoff, the rocket’s first-stage booster will return to Vandenberg, landing at Landing Zone 4, which may result in sonic booms heard across Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties.
Mission managers shared updates on Saturday, confirming that the satellite had been mated to the rocket and was ready for transport to the launch pad. NASA launch manager Tim Dunn expressed confidence in the operation, stating, “The Falcon 9 rocket and Sentinel-6B spacecraft are ready, and the launch team is prepared to launch this important ocean science altimetry mission.”
Due to the involvement of NASA, the mission is not subject to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) emergency order that restricts commercial launches from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time, which was issued due to a federal government shutdown. The timing of the launch is critical to ensure the satellite reaches its designated orbit.
Unfortunately, California is currently experiencing a series of storms that could affect launch plans. 1st Lt. William “Forrest” Harbin, the launch weather officer at Vandenberg, noted that there’s a 60% chance of weather-related delays on the primary launch day, with slightly better odds of 40% for a backup launch day.
Cloud cover poses a significant risk; if present, it could cause a scrub of the countdown due to the potential danger of rocket-triggered lightning. Should the launch need to be postponed, further weather challenges may arise for a subsequent attempt on Monday, with clouds possibly contributing to increased natural lightning risks.
The Sentinel-6B will work in tandem with the previously launched Sentinel-6A Michael Freilich, which has been successfully monitoring Earth for five years now. As part of a partnership between NASA and the European Space Agency, Sentinel-6B will employ advanced radar technology to continuously gather data on global sea levels and oceanic conditions. Phil Evans, director general for the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), emphasized the project’s importance, noting that it will provide critical data on the accelerating rate of sea level rise, which has implications for approximately 900 million people living in coastal areas.
The mission exemplifies the commitment to understanding climate change through continuous monitoring, ensuring that efforts in this crucial area remain ongoing. A live webcast of the countdown and launch will be available about one hour before the scheduled liftoff on NASA+ and the NASA YouTube channel, allowing the public to witness this significant advancement in ocean science.