The United States space agency NASA has successfully launched a new environmental-monitoring satellite — part of a multibillion-dollar push to tighten global surveillance of climate change. The satellite, called Sentinel-6B, lifted off in mid-November aboard a rocket supplied by partner SpaceX, marking a significant step forward in tracking rising sea levels and shifting atmospheric conditions across the planet.
Sentinel-6B is equipped with an advanced radar altimeter capable of measuring the height of the world’s oceans by sending radar pulses down to Earth and timing how long they take to return. This capability will allow scientists to generate precise, continuous measurements of sea-surface heights, a critical metric needed to monitor long-term changes linked to glacier melt, ocean warming and thermal expansion of seawater. The satellite is also planned to gather atmospheric data — including temperature and humidity at varying altitudes — which should enhance global weather forecasting and deepen our understanding of climate dynamics worldwide.
The data provided by Sentinel-6B is expected to play a foundational role in building a decades-long record of sea-level and climate changes that will be vital for a wide range of stakeholders: from coastal governments planning infrastructure to disaster response agencies anticipating floods, cyclones or coastal erosion. For low-lying coastal cities, small island nations and regions vulnerable to sea-level rise, this “eyes in the sky” could offer early warning signals and valuable trends to guide adaptation policies.
Beyond safeguarding human habitats, Sentinel-6B’s detailed altimetry and atmospheric measurements promise to inform scientific models and public-policy decisions about coastal development, disaster insurance, and climate-resilient urban planning. Coastal flooding, tidal surges and rising seas have increasingly been flagged as existential threats to millions living near coastlines; precise long-term data from space can bridge a vital information gap, enabling better prediction and preparation.
As global temperatures continue to climb and weather systems grow more extreme, the launch of Sentinel-6B underscores a broader global effort to harness advanced space-based tools in the fight against climate risk. By delivering accurate and sustained measurements of oceans and atmosphere, the mission aims to support climate-vulnerable communities, inform policymaking and bolster early-warning systems for an increasingly fragile Earth.
