Copernicus Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich includes two satellites that will fly sequentially, launched in 2020 and 2025, carrying a state-of-the art optimised payload.
Copernicus Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich is an Earth Observation satellite mission developed to provide enhanced continuity to the very stable time series of mean sea level measurements and ocean sea state that started in 1992, with the TOPEX/Poseidon mission, then continued by the Jason-1, Jason-2 and Jason-3 satellite missions.
The mission was designed, built and operated by European organisations, while NASA provided the launch vehicle, and the LRR, AMR-C and GNSS-RO payloads.
The threat of sea level rise to coastal communities is an important global concern for governments and policymakers. The well-being and security of future generations in coastal regions and small low-lying island states depends on actions and decisions on environmental policies.
Sea level rise is a powerful climate indicator, since it is the result of changes occurring in Earth's climate system, in response to unforced climate variability and forcing factors from both natural and artificial sources.
In addition to observing sea level rise, Copernicus Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich will provide near-real-time measurements of sea surface height, significant wave height, and other products tailored to operational services in the ocean, meteorology and hydrology domains.
Copernicus Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich will thus monitor sea level change and guarantee the continuity of the historic altimeter sea level record.
Paper: The Copernicus Sentinel-6 mission: Enhanced continuity of satellite sea level measurements from space
Given the considerable range of applications within the European Union Copernicus programme, sustained satellite altimetry missions are required to address operational, science and societal needs. This article describes the Copernicus Sentinel-6 mission, which is designed to provide precision sea level, sea surface height, significant wave height, inland water heights and other products tailored to operational services in the ocean, climate, atmospheric and land Copernicus Services.