NASA is gearing up for an exciting endeavor, providing comprehensive live coverage of the prelaunch and launch activities for the Sentinel-6B satellite. This mission is a significant international effort aimed at delivering vital data on sea levels and oceanic conditions worldwide. Such information is crucial for the protection of coastal infrastructure, enhancement of weather forecasting, and support of commercial maritime activities.
The launch is scheduled for 12:21 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Monday, November 17. For those in the Pacific Standard Time (PST) zone, this translates to 9:21 p.m. on Sunday, November 16. The satellite will be sent into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, taking off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base, located in California.
For those eager to witness this incredible event, NASA has made viewing accessible to a broad audience. Coverage is set to begin at 11:30 p.m. EST (8:30 p.m. PST) and will be streamed live on platforms such as NASA+, Amazon Prime, and several others. This allows viewers to watch the launch in real time from the comfort of their homes. For more details on how to access NASA’s programming, interested individuals can visit NASA’s website.
The Sentinel-6B mission is a continuation of a long-standing initiative to monitor global sea levels and ocean conditions through precise radar measurements from space. Since the early 1990s, NASA, along with its domestic and international partners, has been gathering accurate sea level data through a series of satellite missions. The deployment of Sentinel-6B will extend this invaluable dataset to nearly four decades, providing scientists and policymakers with critical insights into climate change and its impacts on our planet.
NASA’s Mission Schedule (Eastern Time)
Saturday, November 15
4:00 p.m. – A prelaunch teleconference will take place, focusing on the International Ocean Tracking Mission. Key participants will include:
- Karen St. Germain, Director of the Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters, Washington.
- Pierrik Veuilleumier, Project Manager for Sentinel-6B at the European Space Agency (ESA).
- Parag Vaze, Project Manager for Sentinel-6B at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
- Tim Dunn, Senior Launch Director at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
- Julianna Scheiman, Director of NASA Science Missions at SpaceX.
- 1st Lt. William Harbin, Launch Weather Officer from the U.S. Air Force.
The audio of this teleconference will be streamed live on NASA’s YouTube channel. Media personnel interested in participating via phone are required to RSVP at least two hours before the call.
Sunday, November 16
11:30 p.m. – Launch coverage will commence on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and other platforms.Audio Coverage
For those who prefer audio-only coverage, NASA will provide this option through its “V” circuits, accessible by dialing specific phone numbers. On the day of the launch, a “mission audio” countdown, which excludes NASA+ launch commentary, will be available.
NASA Website Launch Coverage
On launch day, the mission coverage will also be available on NASA’s website, which will feature live streaming and blog updates starting no earlier than 11:00 p.m. EST on November 16. Streaming videos and photos of the launch will be accessible shortly after liftoff. For continuous updates, follow NASA’s Sentinel-6/Jason-CS blog.
Virtual Attendance and Social Engagement
The public is invited to attend this launch virtually by registering through an online platform. NASA’s virtual guest program offers curated resources, notifications of related opportunities or changes, and a virtual stamp for participants’ NASA passports following the launch.
Social media enthusiasts can join the conversation and share their experiences by following and tagging NASA’s accounts on various platforms such as X, Facebook, and Instagram.
Collaborative Effort
The Sentinel-6B satellite is the second of two identical satellites in the Copernicus Sentinel-6/Jason-CS (Continuity of Service) mission, which is a collaborative effort among NASA, ESA, EUMETSAT (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites), and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). The first satellite in this mission, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, was launched in November 2020. The European Commission has provided financial support for this mission, while France’s space agency CNES (Centre National d’Études Spatiales) contributed technical expertise. This project marks the first international involvement in Copernicus, the European Union’s Earth Observation Programme.
The Importance of Sentinel-6B
The Sentinel-6B mission plays a crucial role in enhancing our understanding of climate change and its effects on sea levels and oceanic conditions. The data collected by this satellite will be instrumental in improving weather forecasts, aiding in the protection of coastal communities, and supporting various commercial activities at sea. By extending the dataset to nearly four decades, scientists can better analyze trends and make informed decisions to mitigate climate change impacts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Sentinel-6B mission represents a significant milestone in global efforts to monitor and understand our planet’s oceans. With NASA’s comprehensive coverage and the ability for the public to engage virtually, this launch is not just an event for the scientific community but an opportunity for everyone to witness a key step in the ongoing quest to protect our environment.
For further details, updates, and live coverage, visit NASA’s Sentinel-6B mission page.
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