Measurements from space

The Sentinel-6 satellite is in low Earth orbit to accurately measure sea level, wind speed and even wave height. It plays a crucial role in understanding climate change and its impact on the maritime economy.

The Copernicus Sentinel-6 "Michael Freilich" ocean monitoring satellite is currently orbiting the planet at an altitude of 1336 kilometres. It was named after an oceanographer and former head of NASA's Earth Science Division. Its main task is high-precision ocean altimetry, which provides valuable information on the topography of the sea surface, including sea level and wave height. The state-of-the-art satellite was launched into orbit in November 2020. It plays an extremely important role in monitoring and preparing for the effects of climate change, particularly sea level rise. The data collected by the satellite will also be integrated into meteorological models that can help improve safety and efficiency in the maritime industry.