Defense Speak Interpreted: JADC2—Why It’s More Relevant Than Ever in Drone Warfare
Beyond the Board: Orbital High Ground—Why Space Superiority Is Slipping Away
The Government Circuit: Trump’s Trade War Disrupts the Electronics Ecosystem
Ocean guardian Ready for Takeoff: Second Copernicus Sentinel-6 Satellite Heads to Launch Site
July 24, 2025 | AirbusEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Monitoring of Earth’s rising oceans is about to get a powerful boost! Airbus, the prime contractor for the Copernicus Sentinel-6 missions, confirms that the second satellite in this critical series is on its way to the launch site in Vandenberg, California. Liftoff is slated for November 2025.
“Building on the remarkable success of Copernicus Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, launched in November 2020, this new Sentinel-6 satellite will ensure the unbroken flow of ultra-precise ocean surface topography data for the next six years,” said Marc Steckling, Head of Earth Observation, Science and Space Exploration at Airbus Defence and Space. “This follow-on mission will meticulously map ocean topography, track sea-level changes with centimetre-level accuracy, and monitor ocean currents, repeating its global survey every 10 days.”
The data delivered by Sentinel-6 is indispensable for understanding and predicting the impact of climate change on our oceans. These precise measurements provide crucial insights into global sea levels, ocean conditions, wind speeds, current dynamics, and heat storage. This information empowers governments and institutions to implement vital protection measures for vulnerable coastal communities and supports applications from urban planning to disaster preparedness.
With global sea levels rising at over 4 millimetres per year, the Sentinel-6 mission, a cornerstone of the European Union’s Copernicus Programme, provides essential intelligence to confront this urgent challenge. This mission is a testament to international collaboration, spearheaded by the European Space Agency (ESA), NASA, EUMETSAT, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with support from CNES.
Like its predecessor, this 1.5-ton satellite is equipped with a cutting-edge radar altimeter and an advanced microwave radiometer, continuing a legacy of satellite-based ocean measurements dating back to 1992. For approximately one year after its launch, the two Sentinel-6 satellites will fly in tandem, enabling precise cross-calibration of their data, ensuring unparalleled accuracy and consistency in sea-level monitoring.
Copernicus is the Earth observation component of the European Union’s Space Programme,
looking at our planet and its environment to benefit all European citizens. Copernicus provides continuous, free, and reliable Earth observation data and services to public authorities, companies and citizens around the globe.
The programme is managed by the European Commission and is co-funded by the European Union and ESA. The European Space Agency is responsible for the coordination,development and implementation, and evolution of the programme, as well as the operations of some spacecrafts.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Advertising in PCB007 Magazine has been a great way to showcase our bare board testers to the right audience. The I-Connect007 team makes the process smooth and professional. We’re proud to be featured in such a trusted publication."
Klaus Koziol - atgSuggested Items
Hungarian EMS Provider VIDEOTON Group Acquires Stake in Limtronik
07/23/2025 | VideotonVIDEOTON is a privately owned, family-run Hungarian contract manufacturer. As one of the top EU-based companies in this sector, VIDEOTON offers comprehensive electronic manufacturing services (EMS).
Prague PEDC: Call for Abstracts Deadline July 31
07/16/2025 | Pan-European Electronics Design Conference (PEDC)The second Pan-European Electronics Design Conference (PEDC) will take place Jan. 21-22, 2026, in Prague, Czech Republic. The call for abstracts deadline is July 31. Organized jointly by the German Electronics Design and Manufacturing Association (FED) and the Global Electronics Association PEDC serves as a European platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and innovation in electronics design and development.
European Semiconductor Industry Rallies for Support in European Union Long-Term Budget
07/10/2025 | SEMISeeking to explore semiconductor policy measures that can strengthen Europe’s industrial ecosystem, SEMI, the European Semiconductor Industry Association (ESIA), the Global Electronics Association (formerly IPC), and the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) have successfully held a roundtable in Brussels, bringing together representatives from the European Commission and national governments.
I-Connect007’s Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
07/04/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007For our industry, we have seen several bullish market announcements over the past few weeks, including one this week by IDC on the massive growth in the global server market. We’re also closely watching global trade and nearshoring. One good example of successful nearshoring is Rehm Thermal Systems, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in Mexico and the official opening of its new building in Guadalajara.
EU Defence Electronics Ecosystem Highlighted in Brussels
07/01/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamIn this interview, Alison James, senior director of Global Electronics Association—Europe (formerly IPC), discusses the European Defence & Security Summit in Brussels, June 9–13, as well as the first IPC–ASD Europe Defense Electronics Summit, June 10th, which brought together 70 leaders from across the electronics manufacturing supply chain. ASD is the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe, and co-hosted both the larger and smaller events.