NASA’s Sentinel-6B Satellite Set to Launch from California on Sunday Night

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, California – NASA is preparing to launch the Sentinel-6B satellite, the second spacecraft in an international project to monitor rising sea levels, on Sunday night local time. The launch is scheduled for 9:21:42 p.m. PST (12:21:42 a.m. EST / 0521:42 UTC) from Space Launch Complex-4E at this base, weather permitting.

The Sentinel-6B will take off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, marking almost five years since its twin, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, launched from the same pad. Meteorologists from the U.S. Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 30 expressed optimism about the weather for Sunday’s launch, though they noted a 60 percent chance of unfavorable conditions due to recent storms on the West Coast.

“California has been one of the wettest places in the United States this weekend,” said Launch Weather Officer 1st Lt. William F. Harbin. “The forecast looks better for Monday, with the chance of breaking the weather rules dropping to 40 percent if we experience a delay.”

The Falcon 9 booster being used, serial number B1097, is on its third flight, and if successful, it will land about 1,400 feet west of the launch pad. This mission will also represent the 500th flight of a previously flown Falcon 9 booster.

The Sentinel-6B satellite, designed by Airbus Defence and Space in Germany, is part of a $1 billion global initiative to measure sea heights from space. The costs are equally shared by the United States and European partners including NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

From its orbit at an altitude of 830 miles, Sentinel-6B will utilize radar technology to measure sea level heights within an accuracy of about one inch across around 90 percent of the world’s oceans. “This information is essential for monitoring ocean currents, sea level, and wave height,” said Karen St. Germain, NASA’s director of Earth science. “It also supports industries like commercial fishing and shipping.”

Despite its critical mission, no officials have mentioned climate change, which experts identify as a significant factor influencing rising sea levels. NASA will provide live coverage of the launch and pre-launch activities, allowing the public to watch via various platforms.