N° 22–2020: Call for Media: Copernicus Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich ready to map Earth’s oceans

Charting sea level

Scheduled for launch on 21 November 2020 from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, USA, 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 Copernicus Sentinel-6 mission is a true example of international cooperation. While Sentinel-6 is one of the European Union’s family of Copernicus missions, its implementation is the result of the unique collaboration between ESA, NASA, Eumetsat and NOAA, with contribution from the French space agency CNES.

Teleconference Programme - Thursday 19 November

10:00-11:00 CET: session conducted in German

• Josef Aschbacher, Director for Earth Observation Programmes, ESA
• Rolf Densing, Director of Operations, ESA
• Matthias Petschke, Directeur Space, DG Defence, Industry and Space, EC
• Thomas Zurbuchen, Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA
• Karina Von Schuckmann, oceanograaf gespecialiseerd in het monitoren van het oceaanklimaat, Mercator Ocean
• Cosmas Heller, Lead Systems Engineer for Sentinel-6, Airbus
• Joerg Schulz, Climate Service and Product Manager, Eumetsat

10:00-11:00 CET: session conducted in French

• Pierrik Vuilleumier, Copernicus Sentinel-6 Project Manager, ESA
• José Morales, Head of Earth Observation Mission Operations, ESA
• Mauro Facchini, Head of the Earth Observation Unit, DG Defence Industry and Space, EC
• Alain Ratier, Director General, Eumetsat
• Philippe Pham, SVP Earth Observation, Airbus
• Selma Cherchali, Head of Earth Science Programme, CNES
• Pierre Bahurel, Director General, Mercator Ocean

11:30-12:30 CET: session conducted in English

• Josef Aschbacher, Director for Earth Observation Programmes, ESA
• Rolf Densing, Director of Operations, ESA
• Mauro Facchini, Head of the Earth Observation Unit, DG Defence Industry and Space, EC
• Alain Ratier, DG, Eumetsat
• Thomas Zurbuchen, Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA
• Natasha Pushkin, Propulsion Architect, Airbus UK
• Pierre-Yves Le Troan, Scientific Director, Mercator Ocean

Media registration

Press are invited to register at the following link and are kindly asked to indicate the choice(s) of language by Wednesday 18 November.

https://www.esa.int/Contact/mediaregistration

After registering, media will receive additional information and a direct landline number to call for the relevant language. For further information, please contact ESA Newsroom and Media Relations Office – Bernhard von Weyhe at media@esa.int or by calling +33153697504.

An audio recording of the press briefings and Q&A sessions will be provided to journalists.

Social media

Follow ESA Earth Observation on:

Twitter: @ESA_EO @esa
Instagram: ESA_Earth and Europeanspaceagency
Facebook: EuropeanSpaceAgency
YouTube: ESA

Follow the mission using the hashtags: #Sentinel6 and #SpaceCare

Further information

More information about Copernicus Sentinel-6 mission:

https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-6

https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-6/Facts_and_figures

https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-6/Why_is_sea_level_rising

More information about ESA Earth observation:
https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth

More information about ESA:
www.esa.int

Images

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Missions/Sentinel-6/(result_type)/images

ESA’s Photo Library for Professionals:
https://www.esa-photolibrary.com/

Terms and conditions for using ESA images:
www.esa.int/spaceinimages/ESA_Multimedia/Copyright_Notice_Images

For questions or more information related to ESA images, please contact directly spaceinimages@esa.int.

Videos

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Missions/Sentinel-6/(result_type)/videos

ESA’s Video Library for Professionals:
https://www.esa.int/esatv/Videos_for_Professionals

Terms and conditions for using ESA videos:
http://www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/Terms_and_Conditions

For questions or more information related to ESA videos, please contact directly spaceinvideos@esa.int.

About the European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.

ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

ESA has 22 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Slovenia and Latvia are Associate Members.

ESA has established formal cooperation with six Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.

Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int

For further information:

ESA Newsroom and Media Relations Office – Bernhard von Weyhe

Email: media@esa.int

Tel: +33153697504