SpaceX is set to launch the Sentinel-6B satellite from California early on Monday morning, November 17. The advanced ocean-mapping satellite will lift off atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 12:21 a.m. EDT (05:21 GMT), which translates to 9:21 p.m. local California time on November 16.
For those unable to attend in person, the launch will be streamed live on Space.com, thanks to NASA’s coverage, starting at 11:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday night (04:30 GMT on November 17).
Sentinel-6B is a vital component of the European Union’s Copernicus Earth-observing program, designed to measure sea surface heights around the world with high precision. It follows the successful launch of its predecessor, Sentinel 6 Michael Frelich, in November 2020. According to officials from the European Space Agency (ESA), monitoring sea-level rise has become increasingly crucial. In the past 25 years, global ocean levels have risen nearly 10 centimeters (about 4 inches), highlighting the pressing need for accurate Earth observation data amidst climate change.
To achieve its objectives, Sentinel-6B is equipped with a radar altimeter instrument developed by ESA, along with a microwave radiometer provided by NASA, which measures atmospheric water content for better data interpretation. During its initial year in orbit, Sentinel-6B will work in tandem with Sentinel 6 Michael Frelich to enhance the accuracy of the observations through cross-calibration between their instruments.
Provided that the launch proceeds as planned, Sentinel-6B will separate from the Falcon 9’s upper stage approximately 57 minutes after launch. The satellite, which weighs 3,175 pounds (1,440 kilograms), will settle into its operational orbit, situated 830 miles (1,336 kilometers) above Earth. This mission represents a significant advancement in our efforts to monitor the planet’s oceans and will contribute essential data for addressing climate-related challenges.