Copernicus Sentinel-6B was successfully launched earlier this morning at 06:21 CET from Vandenberg Base in California. The satellite sent its first signal down to Earth at 07:54, confirming that it is healthy.
This mission comes at a critical time as scientists continue to report record ocean temperatures and accelerated sea level rise, underscoring the importance of reliable monitoring.
The new satellite is equipped with a highly accurate radar altimeter that measures the height of the ocean surface to within a centimetre. These precise measurements are vital for tracking rising seas, one of the most evident signals of climate change. The data gathered will aid governments and coastal communities in preparing for flooding, erosion, and increasingly frequent extreme weather events.
Sentinel-6 is a collaborative EU-US mission, uniting the expertise of EUMETSAT, ESA, NASA, NOAA, and CNES to deliver the most precise global sea level record to date. Before becoming fully operational, Sentinel-6B will undergo several months of calibration in orbit.
This launch is the fourth successful Copernicus Sentinel mission of 2025, following Sentinel-4A, Sentinel-5A, and Sentinel-1D, further bolstering Europe’s leadership in global Earth observation.
Read more about Sentinel-6 mission here
