New satellite tv for pc to watch sea-level rise from area 

Sentinel-6B is the newest satellite tv for pc within the Copernicus programme; the European Commission’s world-leading Earth statement initiative delivered in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA). It is certainly one of a sequence of missions that date again to 1992, giving a dependable file of world sea-level rises over greater than three many years.  

Sentinel-6B is scheduled for launch on 17 November 2025 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.  

Space Minister Liz Lloyd mentioned:  

Sentinel-6B will assist shield the lives and livelihoods of communities proper right here within the UK and internationally, whether or not that’s defending our coastal cities from flooding, safeguarding our ports and maritime industries, or serving to households and companies put together for the long run.  

This mission exhibits how UK area experience delivered by means of ESA and Copernicus actions delivers down-to-earth advantages that matter to individuals daily.

Developed by means of a long-standing cross-Atlantic partnership between the European Commission, ESA, EUMETSAT, NASA, and NOAA, it is going to construct on the success of its predecessors, together with the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich mission, to increase the file of world sea-level measurements with the best doable accuracy. This will allow scientists and decision-makers to trace sea-level adjustments and act decisively. 

Beth Greenaway, Head of Earth Observation Theme on the UK Space Agency, mentioned:  

The launch of Sentinel-6B marks a significant milestone in our shared efforts to know how our oceans are responding to the altering local weather, extending and enhancing scientists’ potential to watch accelerating sea-level rise and supply strong, trusted knowledge and data on its impacts. This will assist governments and society to make knowledgeable selections about adaptation and strengthen resilience for the a whole lot of tens of millions of individuals residing in coastal areas worldwide. 

As world leaders collect in Brazil for COP30, space-based observations are important instruments for understanding and adapting to our altering setting.

Andrew Saulter, Scientific Strategic Head for Ocean Forecasting on the Met Office, added: 

Global coastlines are dwelling to among the world’s largest cities, vitally necessary power and maritime commerce infrastructure and financial actions comparable to trade, agriculture, fisheries, tourism and internationally necessary websites for wildlife. Monitoring and understanding altering sea ranges and storminess is important to serving to maintain coastal communities and environments, by means of each present-day danger mitigation efforts and designing variations to local weather change impacts to come back.

The Copernicus Sentinels are a fleet of satellites devoted to local weather and environmental monitoring, every designed to look at particular facets of the Earth system. Together, they type the spine of the Copernicus programme, offering a steady stream of high-quality Earth statement knowledge for decision-making and sensible functions worldwide.  

This knowledge helps emergency groups map floods and wildfires in actual time, helps farmers by monitoring crop well being and soil moisture, and improves air high quality forecasts by monitoring pollution and greenhouse gases. By offering this important info, the Sentinels empower governments, companies and communities to make knowledgeable selections for resilience and sustainability. 

Sentinel-6B makes use of superior radar altimetry and microwave radiometry to measure the peak of the ocean floor, important wave top, and international wind speeds. With sea-level rising quicker than anticipated, well timed monitoring is important to anticipate developments and inform coverage selections within the quickly altering pure setting. These observations enhance climate and local weather forecasts, help catastrophe preparedness, allow communities to make knowledgeable selections, complement native monitoring, and lengthen protection the place satellite tv for pc knowledge provides the best worth.  

The international attain highlights the significance of worldwide collaboration to ship knowledge that can be utilized by communities worldwide. As a part of Jason Continuity of Service (JASON-CS), Sentinel-6B will function in tandem with its predecessor, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, for its first yr, permitting for exact cross-calibration and guaranteeing continuity of the sea-surface top since data started many years earlier. 

The UK’s industrial position within the Sentinel-6B mission is primarily by means of Airbus Defence and Space UK in Stevenage, the place the spacecraft propulsion system was developed and examined, alongside UK experience from the University of Reading and elsewhere. The hydrazine propulsion system with eight thrusters will preserve the 1.3-ton satellite tv for pc within the right orbit for its mission. The UK Space Agency continues to facilitate UK trade and scientific participation in Copernicus and promotes using Copernicus knowledge throughout authorities, academia, and enterprise to help environmental administration, civil safety, and local weather resilience. 

This has been an distinctive yr for Earth statement launches, with main European missions comparable to Biomass, Sentinel-4, Sentinel-5, Sentinel-1D, and the France–UK bilateral mission MicroCarb efficiently deployed. With Sentinel-6B and HydroGNSS about to take flight, the momentum exhibits no signal of slowing. 

The UK is happy with its many diversified roles in these missions, from detectors to calibration, science to technique. As the UK Space Agency concludes its yr as Chair of the Committee on Earth Observation satellites, championing efforts to ‘Unlock Earth Observation for Society’, it continues its long-standing contributions to ESA, Copernicus, and EUMETSAT, underscoring our dedication to worldwide collaboration and management in space-based companies.