SENTINEL-6B

NEWS –

• Sentinel-6B, a joint mission of NASA, NOAA (US) and the European Space Agency (ESA), was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on 17 November 2025.
• It is designed to provide precise sea-level measurements, crucial for climate monitoring and disaster forecasting.

HIGHLIGHTS

Key Features of Sentinel-6B

• Second satellite in the Sentinel-6 series, following Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich (operational since 2020).
• Equipped with six scientific instruments to measure:
  • Sea-level rise
  • Ocean temperature and currents
  • Atmospheric conditions
• Orbit speed: ~7.2 km/s
• Orbital period: ~112 minutes (one Earth revolution)

 Objectives of the Mission

• Monitor global sea-level rise with accuracy up to ~1 inch, covering 90% of global oceans.
• Generate long-term, climate-quality datasets to understand ocean-atmosphere interactions.
• Extend the 30-year satellite altimetry record that began in the 1990s with NASA missions.

 Importance of Ocean Data

• Weather Forecasting: Enhances accuracy of short- and medium-range predictions.
• Storm & Flood Prediction: Improves modelling of extreme events like cyclones, storm surges and heavy rainfall.
• Maritime Security: Supports navigation, shipping routes, fisheries, and safeguarding undersea cables and pipelines.
• Climate Change Assessment: Tracks thermal expansion of oceans—a major contributor to sea-level rise.

Relevance for India

• Crucial for IMD’s monsoon predictions, cyclone early warnings, and coastal management.
• Helps protect vulnerable coastlines such as the Sundarbans, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat.
• Supports India’s programmes like Sagarmala, Blue Economy initiatives, and disaster-resilient infrastructure.