Scheduled for launch on 21 November 2020 from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, USA, the Copernicus Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite is the first of two identical satellites to provide critical measurements of sea-level change.
Once safely in orbit, the satellite will continue the long-term record of reference sea-surface height measurements and extend the records of sea level into its fourth decade. The satellite will map 95% of Earth’s ice-free ocean every 10 days and provide crucial information for operational oceanography and climate studies.
Since sea-level rise is a key indicator of climate change, accurately monitoring the changing height of the sea surface over decades is essential for climate science, for policy-making and for protecting those in low-lying regions at risk.
The satellite was renamed in honour of Michael H. Freilich, the former director of NASA’s Earth Science Division. The Copernicus Sentinel-6 mission is a true example of international cooperation. While Sentinel-6 is one of the European Union’s family of Copernicus missions, its implementation is the result of the unique collaboration between ESA, NASA, Eumetsat and NOAA, with contribution from the French space agency CNES.
Teleconference Programme - Thursday 19 November
10:00-11:00 CET session conducted in German • Josef Aschbacher, Director for Earth Observation Programmes, ESA • Rolf Densing, Director of ESA Operations • Matthias Petschke, Director Space, DG Defence, Industry and Space, EC • Thomas Zurbuchen, Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA • Karina Von Schuckmann, Oceanographer specialised in ocean climate monitoring, Mercator Ocean • Cosmas Heller, Lead Systems Engineer for Sentinel-6, Airbus • Joerg Schulz, Climate Service and Product Manager, Eumetsat
10:00-11:00 CET session conducted in French • Pierrik Vuilleumier, Copernicus Sentinel-6 Project Manager, ESA • José Morales, Head of Earth Observation Mission Operations, ESA • Pierre Delsaux, Deputy DG, DG Defence, Industry and Space, EC • Alain Ratier, Director General, Eumetsat • Philippe Pham, SVP Earth Observation, Airbus • Selma Cherchali, Head of Earth Science Programme, CNES • Pierre Bahurel, Director General, Mercator Ocean
11:30-12:30 CET session conducted in English • Josef Aschbacher, Director for Earth Observation Programmes, ESA • Rolf Densing, Director of ESA Operations • Alain Ratier, Director General, Eumetsat • Thomas Zurbuchen, Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA • Cosmas Heller, Lead Systems Engineer for Sentinel-6, Airbus • Mauro Facchini, Head of Earth Observation, DG Defence, Industry and Space, EC • Natasha Pushkin, Propulsion Architect, Airbus UK • Pierre-Yves Le Troan, Scientific Director, Mercator Ocean