Sentinel-6B in the IABG cleanroom

The next sea-level monitoring satellite, Copernicus Sentinel-6B, in the cleanroom at IABG’s facilities in Germany. Sentinel-6B will follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, assuming the role of the reference radar altimetry mission to continue the vital record of sea-surface height measurements through at least 2030.

The Sentinel-6 satellites carry a Poseidon-4 dual-frequency (C-band and Ku-band) radar altimeter to measure sea-surface height, significant wave height and wind speed to support operational oceanography. An advanced microwave radiometer, provided by NASA, supports Poseidon-4. Water vapour in the atmosphere affects the speed of the altimeter’s radar pulses – and therefore estimates of sea-surface height. The advanced microwave radiometer accounts this water vapour to ensure that measurements are accurate.