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Context:
An advanced ocean-altimetry satellite designed for high-precision measurement of global sea-surface height, waves, winds, and climate-driven ocean changes. It continues the legacy of Topex-Poseidon → Jason-1/2/3 → Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich missions since the early 1990s.
Launch Details:
- Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon-9
- Launch Site: Vandenberg Space Force Base, USA
- Joint Mission By: NASA, NOAA, ESA, Eumetsat, European Commission, with support from CNES.
Aim:
- Provide continuous, accurate sea-level rise measurements.
- Monitor ocean temperature patterns and sea-state data.
- Improve climate modelling, storm forecasting, and coastal resilience planning.
Key Features:
- Radar Altimeter: Measures sea-surface height with millimetre precision.
- Advanced Microwave Radiometer: Corrects atmospheric water-vapour errors for precise altimetry.
- Six scientific instruments enabling measurement accuracy of ~1 inch across 90% of global oceans.
- Orbits Earth at 2 km/s, completing a revolution every 112 minutes.
