Sentinel-6B, a new ocean-monitoring satellite, has been successfully launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base to enhance globalSea level Monitoring
What it is?
- Sentinel-6B is an advanced ocean-altimetry satellite designed to measure global sea-surface height, waves, winds andClimate driven Changesin ocean dynamics with high precision.
Launched By:A joint mission of NASA, NOAA, European Space Agency (ESA), Eumetsat, the European Commission, with support from CNES.
- Lunched aboard aSpaceX Falcon-9
Aim:
- To provide continuous, high-accuracy measurements of sea-level rise, ocean temperature patterns, and sea-state data to improve climate modelling, storm forecasting, and coastal resilience planning.
Key Features:
- Radar Altimeter:Measures sea-surface height by timing radar pulses to millimetre accuracy.
- Advanced Microwave Radiometer:Correctsatmospheric water vapour errors for more precise altimetry.
- 6 science instrumentsenabling sea-level measurement accuracy to ~1 inch across 90% of global oceans.
- Orbits Earth at2 km/s, completing one revolution every112 minutes.
- Continuation of the Topex-Poseidon → Jason-1/2/3 → Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich legacy record since early 1990s.
Significance:
- Provides the world’s gold-standard reference dataset for sea-surface height—critical for trackingSea Level Rise
- Enhances weather and storm forecasting, especially cyclones, floods and wave prediction.
- Supports maritime safety, submarine cable/pipeline protection, and climate adaptation planning.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
