Major Ocean-Observing Satellite Releases 1st Scientific Measurements to Users

Six months after its check-out and calibration in orbit, the major ocean-observing satellite named after NASA Earth Science Division Director Michael Freilich is making available its first two data streams to the public today.

The satellite, a Phys.org report specified, launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California in November last year and is an American-European collaboration to measure surface height of the sea and other key ocean features like ocean surface wind speed and wave height.

One of the data streams of the sea surface height that will be released is precise to 2.3 inches and will be available within hours of the time the instrument aboard Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich collects it.

A second data stream, precise to 1.4 inches, is set for release two days from collection. The difference in time when the products became available is balancing preciseness with delivery timelines for tasks such as forecasting the weather and helping in the monitoring of the hurricanes' formation.

Later this year, more datasets, which will be precise to about 1.2 inches, are scheduled for distribution and are intended for study activities and climate science, which include following and tracing global mean sea level rise.

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The Major Ocean-Observing Satellite

This satellite collects its measurements for approximately 90-percent of the oceans of the world. It is one of two satellites comprising the Copernicus Sentinel-6/Jason-CS or Continuity of Service mission.

The second satellite, according to NASA, Sentinel-6B, is scheduled for launch in 2025. Together, the two are the most recent in a series of spacecraft beginning with TOPEX/Poseidon in the early 1990s and continuing with the Jason series of satellites that have been collecting accurate ocean height measurements for almost three decades.

Soon after launch, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich moved into position, tracking the present reference sea level satellite Jason-3, as described in NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory site, by half-minute.

Researchers and engineers then spent time cross-calibrating the data both satellites were able to collect to guarantee that the continuity of measurements between the two.

Once they have the assurance of the quality of data, the major ocean-observing satellite will then turn out to be the primary sea level satellite.

Observing Rising Seas

Project scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, Josh Willis said, is a relief to know that the satellite is "working and that the data looks good."

Several months from now, added Willis, the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich will take over Jason-3, its precursor, and this data release is the initial step in that particular process.

The ocean is absorbing 90 percent of the heat trapped in the Earth system by increasing the greenhouse gases' concentrations, which is causing seawater to expand, not to mention, sea level to rise.

Monitoring the height of the ocean is essential as it helps forecasters in predicting things that include ocean currents and probable hurricane strength.

According to program and project scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Maryland, Eric Leuliette, these preliminary data show that Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich is an amazing new mechanism that will help improve both weather and marine forecasts. In changing climate, he added, it is a great achievement that these data are ready for release.

Related information is shown on NASA's YouTube video below: