Copernicus Sentinel 6 launch live
Date: Sat, Nov 21, 2020 | 16:45 - 19:05 GMT | 17:45 - 20:05 CET
Type: ESA TV Live
Format: 16:9
Watch the launch of the Copernicus Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich ocean-monitoring satellite on Saturday 21 November at 18:17 CET (09:17 PST) from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, USA aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Follow the live transmission as experts from ESA, EUMETSAT, NASA, NOAA and other partners discuss details of the mission.
Key timings (all CET):
ESA TV and Web TV programme starts: 17:45
Launch: 18:17
Spacecraft separation: 19:14
Solar array deployment: 19:20
Acquisition of signal: 19:48
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 mission is a collaboration between ESA, the European Commission, EUMETSAT, NASA and NOAA, with support from the French space agency CNES.
Highlights will be posted on the ESA TV server as soon as possible after AOS:
Server: tvdownload.esa.int
Login: esa
Password: ftp4esa
Folder: Sentinel 6
Already posted there are:
Spacecraft arrival and cleanroom shots at Vandenberg
Roll-out to launch pad
Verticalisation at pad
More information at: http://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-6
Satellite Parameters:
Eutelsat 7B @ 7degE
Transponder F6 Channel D (9 MHz)
D/link freq: 12703.83 MHz Polarisation Y/vertical
Signal: MPEG4/H264, 4:2:0, SR: 7200 Ms/s FEC: 3/4 DR: >15 Mbps
Modulation: DVBS2/8PSK, Pilot: On, Roll off: 0.2 Clear
Audio 1: English mono
Audio 2: English mono
For any inquiries regarding transmission rights, satellite or FTP reception please contact the ESA TV producer: Chris Courtenay Taylor at chrisct@worldwidegroup.global / tel +44 7774 275 951