"Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich" is expected to launch on November 21, 2020: a new ocean observation mission begins to measure sea level with a regular, uniform and global coverage.

This mission is the result of an unprecedented international collaboration: ESA, EUMETSAT, NASA JPL, NOAA, CNES and is part of the European Commission's Copernicus program.

The CNES contribution includes the provision of improved and calibrated sea surface height and wave products that will be used by CMEMS to generates forecasts and maps of ocean parameters such as temperature, salinity or currents, the performance chain of measurement (CAL/VAL) and accurate orbit restitution.
Sentinel-6 extends the reference altimeter mission of Topex/Poseidon (1992-2006) and Jason series (Jason-1 2001-2013; Jason-2 2008-2019; Jason-3 2016) and thus continues the long-term recording of sea surface height measurements.

These long time series are fundamental for understanding the ocean's role as a mitigator of climate change, for understanding all components of climate, including the "slow" variations in climate: ocean circulation, melting of the polar ice caps and their consequences on sea level rise.

Further information

• Missions : Sentinel-6
• On ESA website : Sentinel-6, Discussing sea-level rise and Sentinel-6