Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich

Active Mission

Launched in November 2020, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich was the first of two identical satellites designed to measure the height of the ocean — a key component to understanding Earth’s changing seas. Its twin, Sentinel-6B, is scheduled to launch in late 2025. The staggered launches will help to ensure the continuation of a decades-long record of sea level observations out to 2030. The satellites are part of the Sentinel-6/Jason-CS (Continuity of Service) mission, an international effort designed to measure sea levels down to roughly an inch for about 90% of the world’s ocean.

Type

Orbiter

Launch

Nov. 21, 2020

Partners

ESA (European Space Agency), EUMETSAT (the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites), NASA, and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Objective

Measure global sea-level rise to understand how Earth's climate is changing

Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich (formerly, Satellite A) was renamed in February 2020 to honor Dr. Michael Freilich, director of NASA’s Earth Science Division from 2006-2019. He died in August 2020, leaving a legacy of service to Earth science, and satellite oceanography in particular.