**NASA Unveils New Satellite to Track Rising Sea Levels**
A new satellite, set to launch on November 17, will continue a decades-long record of sea surface height, providing critical data for coastal planning, protecting infrastructure, and advancing weather forecasts. The Sentinel-6B satellite is the latest in a series of spacecraft NASA has used to measure sea levels since 1992.
The European Space Agency (ESA) and its partners have collaborated with NASA on this mission, known as the Copernicus Sentinel-6/Jason-CS program. This mission aims to deliver high-impact data that supports urban planning, disaster preparedness, and navigation in the maritime industry.
**Key Facts About Sentinel-6B**
1. **Global Coverage**: The satellite will collect data from about 90% of Earth's ocean, providing essential information for public safety, city planning, and protecting commercial and defense interests.
2. **Long-Term Dataset**: The mission is expected to extend the legacy of NASA's sea level measurements by decades, enabling researchers to better understand how sea levels change over time.
3. **Improved Weather Forecasts**: Sentinel-6B will provide near-real-time data on Earth's atmosphere and seas, aiding in the prediction of hurricanes and other extreme weather events.
4. **National Security**: The satellite's observations will be used to protect coastal military installations from flooding and aid national defense efforts by providing crucial information about weather and ocean conditions.
5. **Vulnerable Coastlines**: Sentinel-6B will help identify regions with higher risks of flooding, erosion, and saltwater contamination of freshwater supplies, supporting informed decision-making for industries and emergency managers.
6. **International Collaboration**: The mission is the result of a partnership between NASA, ESA, EUMETSAT, CNES, and NOAA, demonstrating the pooling of capabilities, resources, and expertise to deliver cost-effective solutions.
The launch of Sentinel-6B marks an important milestone in NASA's commitment to understanding Earth's oceans and atmosphere. By continuing this critical mission, researchers and policymakers can make informed decisions about our planet's future.
A new satellite, set to launch on November 17, will continue a decades-long record of sea surface height, providing critical data for coastal planning, protecting infrastructure, and advancing weather forecasts. The Sentinel-6B satellite is the latest in a series of spacecraft NASA has used to measure sea levels since 1992.
The European Space Agency (ESA) and its partners have collaborated with NASA on this mission, known as the Copernicus Sentinel-6/Jason-CS program. This mission aims to deliver high-impact data that supports urban planning, disaster preparedness, and navigation in the maritime industry.
**Key Facts About Sentinel-6B**
1. **Global Coverage**: The satellite will collect data from about 90% of Earth's ocean, providing essential information for public safety, city planning, and protecting commercial and defense interests.
2. **Long-Term Dataset**: The mission is expected to extend the legacy of NASA's sea level measurements by decades, enabling researchers to better understand how sea levels change over time.
3. **Improved Weather Forecasts**: Sentinel-6B will provide near-real-time data on Earth's atmosphere and seas, aiding in the prediction of hurricanes and other extreme weather events.
4. **National Security**: The satellite's observations will be used to protect coastal military installations from flooding and aid national defense efforts by providing crucial information about weather and ocean conditions.
5. **Vulnerable Coastlines**: Sentinel-6B will help identify regions with higher risks of flooding, erosion, and saltwater contamination of freshwater supplies, supporting informed decision-making for industries and emergency managers.
6. **International Collaboration**: The mission is the result of a partnership between NASA, ESA, EUMETSAT, CNES, and NOAA, demonstrating the pooling of capabilities, resources, and expertise to deliver cost-effective solutions.
The launch of Sentinel-6B marks an important milestone in NASA's commitment to understanding Earth's oceans and atmosphere. By continuing this critical mission, researchers and policymakers can make informed decisions about our planet's future.