Transatlantic Partners Team Up To Better Monitor Sea Level Rise
In a moving ceremony that took place at NASA headquarters on January 28th, representatives of leading European and American space organizations gathered to rename a joint ocean monitoring mission after NASA’s long-term Earth scientist, Mike Freilich.
“Sentinel 6-A Michael Freilich” is an important component of the European Union’s Copernicus program — the EU’s Earth observation program managed by the European Commission. It will specifically enable measurements of the height of the sea surface, therefore tracking global sea level rise. The launch is scheduled to take off from California this fall.
Sentinel 6-A is a joint endeavor between the European Commission, the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), the European Space Agency (ESA), NASA, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
A Transatlantic Honeymoon in Space
This mission is a remarkable example of the close and mutually-beneficial partnership between Europe and the US in space. From Earth observation to satellite-navigation and space research, transatlantic partners team up to an unprecedented level.
In a letter sent to NASA in December 2019, the European Commission and the European Space Agency had proposed to rename Sentinel-A after Michael Freilich to pay tribute to his outstanding contribution to the mission and, more generally, to Earth science.
“This honor demonstrates the global reach of Mike’s legacy,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. “We are grateful for ESA and the European partners’ generosity in recognizing Mike’s lifelong dedication to understanding our planet and improving life for everyone on it. Mike’s contributions to NASA — and to Earth science worldwide — have been invaluable, and we are thrilled that this satellite bearing his name will uncover new knowledge about the oceans for which he has such an abiding passion.”
Mercedes Garcia Perez, Head of Global Issues and Innovation at the Delegation of the European Union to the US, added that “together with other missions of the EU’s Earth Observation Program Copernicus, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich will contribute to improved knowledge and understanding of the role of the ocean in climate change and for mitigation and adaptation policies in coastal areas. It will have a large societal impact worldwide as it supports applications in the area of operational oceanography including ship routing, support for off-shore and other marine industries, fisheries, and responses to environmental hazards. This new satellite within the Copernicus constellation will be an additional tool for implementing the European Green Deal to transition the EU to a carbon neutral economy.”
