Sentinel-6 Live Launch Coverage

Clear, sunny skies provide a backdrop for California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base, where the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich spacecraft awaits liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4, Nov. 21, 2020. 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.

Clear, sunny skies provide a backdrop for California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base, where the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich spacecraft awaits liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4, Nov. 21, 2020. 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. Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich launched Nov. 21, 2020, at 9:17 PST (12:17 EST). NASA’s Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center was responsible for launch management.

Photographer NASA/Isaac Watson
Album Sentinel-6_Michael_Freilich
30th Space WingAirbusAirbus Defence SpaceCaliforniaESAEarthEuropean Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological SatNASA s Launch Services ProgramLSPlaunchWestern RangeRangeEuropean Space AgencyFalcon 9JPLMichael FreilichNASA s Jet Propulsion LaboratoryEUMETSATNOAANational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationSentinel-6Sentinel-6 Michael FreilichSpaceXVAFBVandenberg Air Force Baseoceansatelliteseasea levelscienceoceanography