Sentinel-6 Liftoff

The SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage booster lands at Space Launch Complex 4 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California after launching the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich spacecraft on Nov. 21, 2020, at 9:17 a.m. PST (12:17 p.m. EST). The Sentinel-6/Jason-CS (Continuity of Service) mission consists of the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite, which will be followed by its twin, the Sentinel-6B satellite, in 2025. The Sentinel-6/Jason-CS mission is part of Copernicus, the European Union’s Earth observation program, managed by the European Commission. Continuing the legacy of the Jason series missions, Sentinel-6/Jason-CS will extend the records of sea level into their fourth decade, collecting accurate measurements of sea surface height for more than 90% of the world’s oceans, and providing crucial information for operational oceanography, marine meteorology, and climate studies. NASA’s Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center was responsible for launch management.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage booster lands at Space Launch Complex 4 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California after launching the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich spacecraft on Nov. 21, 2020, at 9:17 a.m. PST (12:17 p.m. EST). The Sentinel-6/Jason-CS (Continuity of Service) mission consists of the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite, which will be followed by its twin, the Sentinel-6B satellite, in 2025. The Sentinel-6/Jason-CS mission is part of Copernicus, the European Union’s Earth observation program, managed by the European Commission. Continuing the legacy of the Jason series missions, Sentinel-6/Jason-CS will extend the records of sea level into their fourth decade, collecting accurate measurements of sea surface height for more than 90% of the world’s seas, and providing crucial information for operational oceanography, marine meteorology, and climate studies. NASA’s Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center was responsible for launch management.

Location SLC-4, VAFB
30th Space WingAirbusAirbus Defence SpaceCaliforniaESAEUMETSATEarthEuropean Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological SatEuropean Space AgencyFalcon 9JPLLSPLaunchMichael FreilichNASA s Jet Propulsion LaboratoryNASA s Launch Services ProgramNOAANational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationRangeSentinel-6Sentinel-6 Michael FreilichSpaceXVAFBVandenberg Air Force BaseWestern Rangeoceanoceanographysatellitescienceseasea level