Sentinel-6B Satellite Strengthens Global Ocean and Sea-Level Monitoring

Context:

• Sentinel-6B, a next-generation ocean-monitoring satellite, was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, USA.

• The mission strengthens global efforts to track sea-level rise, improve weather forecasting, and support climate change monitoring, especially for vulnerable coastal regions.

• It continues a long-standing international collaboration on space-based ocean observation.

Key Highlights:

Launch and Mission Profile

• Sentinel-6B was launched as part of a joint mission involving:

  • NASA

  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

  • European Space Agency (ESA)

• The satellite orbits Earth at a speed of 7.2 km per second.

• Completes one Earth revolution every 112 minutes.

Technical Capabilities

• Equipped with six advanced scientific instruments.

• Measures:

  • Global sea-level rise

  • Ocean surface height and temperature

• Provides sea-level measurements accurate to ~1 inch over 90% of the world’s oceans.

• Operates alongside its twin satellite:

  • Sentinel‑6 Michael Freilich, launched in November 2020.

Detailed Insights:

• Sentinel-6B plays a critical role in:

  • Improving weather and storm predictions, including cyclones

  • Enhancing early warning systems for extreme weather events

• The satellite’s ocean data supports:

  • Protection of coastal infrastructure

  • Safety of undersea pipelines and communication cables

  • Improved navigation and shipping services

• Accurate sea-level data helps governments:

  • Plan climate adaptation strategies

  • Make real-time decisions to safeguard public assets

• The mission builds upon a satellite altimetry programme running since the 1990s, led largely by NASA and its partners.

• Sentinel-6B data contributes to:

  • Tracking the rate of sea-level rise

  • Assessing long-term impacts of global warming on coastal ecosystems and human settlements

• The mission strengthens scientific understanding of:

  • Climate-ocean interactions

  • Changes in global ocean circulation patterns

Scientific / Technical Concepts Involved:

• Sea Level Measurement:

  • Determining ocean surface height relative to a fixed reference using satellite altimetry.

• Satellite Orbit:

  • The controlled path followed by a satellite around Earth, governed by gravity and velocity.

• Weather Forecasting:

  • Prediction of atmospheric conditions using satellite data, models, and observations.

UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):

GS Paper 1 – Physical Geography

• Oceans and sea-level changes

• Coastal processes and vulnerabilities

GS Paper 3 – Science & Technology

• Satellite technology and remote sensing

• International space cooperation

GS Paper 3 – Environment & Ecology

• Climate change and sea-level rise

• Coastal adaptation and resilience

Prelims Focus

• Sentinel-6 mission objectives

• Satellite altimetry

• Agencies involved: NASA, NOAA, ESA