Airbus space engineers are preparing the European ocean satellite “Copernicus Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich” for its journey to the Vandenberg launch site in California.
Next week, the satellite will be loaded into a cargo plane at Munich Airport and flown to the US. The Airbus-built satellite is scheduled for launch on 10 Nov. 2020.
The Copernicus Sentinel-6 will carry out high-precision measurements of ocean surface topography. The satellite will measure its distance to the ocean surface with an accuracy of a few centimetres and use this data to map it, repeating the cycle every 10 days, with the mission lasting up to seven years. It will document changes in sea-surface height, record and analyse variations in sea levels and observe ocean currents.
Exact observations of changes in sea-surface height provide insights into global sea levels, ocean sea state, ocean wind speed, the speed and direction of ocean geostrophic currents, and ocean heat storage. These measurements are vital for modelling the oceans and monitoring/predicting rises in sea levels. In addition, Sentinel-6 will provide measurements over large rivers and lakes in support of water management applications.
The findings will enable governments and institutions to establish effective protection for coastal regions. The data will be invaluable not only for disaster relief organisations, but also for authorities involved in urban planning, securing buildings or commissioning dykes.
Global sea levels are currently rising by an average of 3.3 millimetres a year as a result of global warming; this could potentially have dramatic consequences for countries with densely populated coastal areas.
The Sentinel-6 mission is part of the European Union Copernicus Programme for environment. This mission comprises two satellites and is being developed under Airbus’s industrial leadership. While it is a European mission, Sentinel-6 is a true example of international cooperation – it has been jointly developed by ESA, NASA, EUMETSAT and NOAA, with support from CNES.
Each satellite carries a radar altimeter, which works by measuring the time it takes for radar pulses to travel to the surface and back again to the satellite. Combined with precise satellite location data, altimetry measurements yield the height of the sea surface.
The satellites’ instrument package also includes an advanced microwave radiometer that accounts for the amount of water vapour in the atmosphere, which affects the speed of the altimeter’s radar pulses.
The satellite weighs approximately 1.5 tons. Starting with Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, in November 2020, the Sentinel-6 satellites will collect satellite-based measurements of the oceans’ surfaces, continuing a task that first began in 1992. The second Sentinel-6 spacecraft is then expected to follow in 2025.
In January this year, the satellite was renamed after Michael H. Freilich, who led NASA´s work in Earth science for many years. Michael Freilich passed away in August.
More than 1,200 companies, including 200 firms from about 40 countries, will showcase their capabilities at the upcoming SAHA EXPO…
Vietnam has successfully concluded the Site Acceptance Test (SAT) for its new L-39NG trainer aircraft, marking the final step in…
The Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) held a foundation-laying ceremony on Tuesday, 20th August, for a new building dedicated to…
L3Harris plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60%, water use by 20%, and solid waste by 10%. In addition,…
Boeing has become an early investor in Wagner Sustainable Fuels to support the development of its sustainable aviation fuels (SAF)…
Terma and Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services (KAMS) have formalised a Teaming Agreement to collaborate on military Aviation Maintenance Services (AMS)…
The third ESM (European Service Module) for NASA's Orion spacecraft has departed from Airbus' facility in Bremen, Germany, on its…
Air Astana and Japan Airlines have entered into a codeshare agreement, enabling both carriers to place their respective codes on…
The Directorate of Production and Procurement (DOPP) at the Israel Ministry of Defence (IMoD), in conjunction with the Tank and…
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) formally took delivery of the last two T-50TH jet trainer/light fighter aircraft at Wing…
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is reportedly showing keen interest in acquiring the Indian-made BrahMos missile for its fleet…
Crane Aerospace & Electronics, a segment of Crane Company, has been selected by German Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Deutsche Aircraft…
The Bali International Airshow 2024 is set to mark Indonesia's return to the global airshow scene after three decades, underscoring…
Indonesian state-owned defence company PT Pindad, introduced its latest developments in counter-drone technology: the SPS-1 anti-drone rifle and the MV3…
The Defence Technology Institute (DTI) of Thailand has handed over a prototype of the D11A Multiple Rocket Launcher (MRL) to…
BHIC AeroServices Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation Bhd (BHIC), has been awarded a five-year contract worth…
Lockheed Martin has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Terran Orbital, a company known for its satellite-based solutions in the…
All Nippon Airways (ANA) will begin showing Pokémon-themed in-flight safety and disembarkation videos, created in collaboration with the Pokémon Company,…
Cebu Pacific has announced the resumption of its international flights between Davao and Hong Kong, and Iloilo and Singapore, later…
AirAsia has announced a new route to Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India, enhancing connectivity between Singapore and India through its…
The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) has signed a contract for the purchase of two SeaGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) from…
Archer Aviation and Future Flight Global have announced an agreement focused on the deployment of electric vertical take off and…
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced plans to increase flight frequencies and passenger capacity across its network for the 2025 Northern…
Etihad Cargo and Teleport, the logistics arm of AirAsia, have entered into a partnership aimed at increasing cargo capacity and…
SalamAir, Oman’s low-cost airline, has announced the launch of its latest promotion, the "Low Fare Mega Sale," offering discounted fares…
On 13 August 2024, the Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall Group signed an agreement to acquire all equity interests in Loc Performance Products,…
MRO services provider AAR hosted an internship graduation ceremony on Aug. 8 for the 10 high school students who spent…
The Polish Government has finalised a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) to acquire 96 Boeing…
Korean Air and U.S. defence contractor L3Harris Technologies recently hosted an 'L3 Industry Day' at the Air Force Hotel in…
Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), part of the SATS Group, has secured a five-year licence to manage ramp handling operations at…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.