NASA and European Partners Prepare for Sentinel-6B Launch

NASA and its European partners are set to launch the Sentinel-6B Earth satellite no earlier than November 16. This mission will continue the vital data record of sea level measurements currently being collected by its twin, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, which launched in November 2020.

The launch is targeted for 12:21 a.m. EST on November 17, with the satellite packed into the payload fairing of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The Sentinel-6B satellite, measuring 19.1 feet long and weighing approximately 2,600 pounds, will be deployed after a 57-minute sequence post-liftoff.

It will orbit Earth every 112 minutes at speeds of 4.5 miles per second, taking over primary sea level measurement duties from its predecessor after a calibration period. This mission is critical for tracking sea levels across more than 90 percent of Earth's oceans, providing essential data for public safety, city planning, and coastal infrastructure protection.

NASA will also leverage this data to refine atmospheric models supporting Artemis astronaut re-entries. The launch vehicle's first and second stages will separate roughly two minutes after liftoff, followed by the payload fairing separation about three minutes later.

After engine cutoff, the rocket will enter a temporary parking orbit before a second stage engine burn occurs. Approximately 57 minutes post-launch, Sentinel-6B will separate from the rocket, and its solar panels will deploy shortly thereafter.

Initial contact with ground controllers is expected about 35 minutes post-separation, marking a key milestone in confirming the spacecraft's health. The Sentinel-6B is part of a collaborative mission involving NASA, the European Space Agency, and other partners aimed at maintaining a 30-year-plus record of sea-level observations.

These observations will enhance storm forecasting and optimize commercial activities like shipping, while also mapping ocean floor features. The Copernicus Sentinel-6 mission is a significant international collaboration, with NASA contributing launch services and ground systems, alongside technical expertise from the French space agency CNES.

Coverage of the launch will be available on NASA’s website, with live streaming and blog updates commencing the evening before liftoff. For further information on the mission, visit NASA's official site and follow their Sentinel-6B blog for countdown updates and details.