Earth Observing Fleet (December 2019)

This animation shows the orbits of satellites that NASA is using to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the environment. It includes assets from our domestic partners, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey, our international partners, such as the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and our commercial partner Planet Labs.Together, our combined measurements are providing the spatial and temporal breadth to more fully characterize and understand how society’s changing behavior during the pandemic is affecting the Earth system. The clouds used in this version are from a high resolution GEOS model run at 10 minute time steps interpolated down to the per-frame level.Spacecraft included:NASAAquaAuraSuomi NPP: Suomi National Polar-orbiting PartnershipOCO-2: Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2TerraLandsat 7Landsat 8ISS: International Space StationInternationalSentinel-1Sentinel-2Sentinel-5PGOSATALOS-2CommercialPlanet Labs 178 nanosatellites COVID-19 Earth Observing Fleet

Earth’s climate is changing, and one of the clearest signs is rising sea levels in the world’s oceans. THIS Saturday, a U.S.- European collaboration will launch the first of two satellites that will track sea level height over the next decade. NASA and NOAA scientists are available virtually Friday, November 20 from 6:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EST and 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. EST - one day before launch - and again Saturday, November 21 from 7:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. EST - just hours before launch scheduled for 12:17 p.m. EST from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California - to tell your viewers when they can watch the launch, and why it is important to document changing sea level. The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite will add vital measurements to a nearly 30-year record of sea level observations, giving us valuable insight to how the oceans are responding to climate change. This newest satellite will continue the longest-running series of missions dedicated to answering this question: How fast are Earth’s oceans rising and how will that impact us? The mission consists of two identical satellites, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich and Sentinel-6B, that will launch five years apart. Along with observing sea levels, these satellites will also provide precise data of atmospheric temperature and humidity that will help improve weather forecasts and climate models.** To Schedule an interview:*** Please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/8hm3u5sG8mukMQLN7Interviews will be conducted using video chat programs including Skype in 15-minute slots. For example 600-615 ET, 615-630 ET, etc. Satellite interviews are not available. *** Spanish Interviews are available ***Participating Scientists: Thomas Zurbuchen / Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, NASA HeadquartersKaren St. Germain / Earth Science Division Director, NASA HeadquartersNadya Vinogradova Shiffer / Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich Program Scientist, NASA HeadquartersIvona Cetinic / NASA Oceanographer, USRAMichelle Easter / JPL, Mechatronics EngineerBen Hamlington / JPL, Research ScientistJosh Willis / JPL Project Scientist for Sentinel-6Shannon Statham / JPL, Sentinel-6 AMR-C Integration Test LeadThomas Thammasuckdi / JPL, Ground Data Software Engineer LeadSteve Nerem / University of Colorado, Professor, Aerospace Engineering SciencesEric Leuliette / NOAA, Sentinel-6 Project ScientistCarlos Del Castillo / NASA Scientist [Interviews in Spanish]*Erika Podest / JPL, climate scientist [Interviews in Spanish]*Pedro E. Moreira / JPL, Payload Development / Mechanical Engineer [Interviews in Spanish]*Suggested Questions:Tell us about the new mission that is launching this weekend to better understand sea level rise? Why is measuring sea level important? What does it tell us about climate change?Why do we use satellites to observe the ocean? How do you do that from space?How will data from Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich ( Fry-lick) Satellite help to improve weather forecasts, such as the models that track the formation and evolution of hurricanes? How does sea level rise affect us here in XXXX?What is your role on the mission, and what excites you about it?Where can people learn more and stay up to date on this mission?Suggested Anchor Intro: GLOBAL SEA LEVEL RISE IS ONE OF THE MOST DISTINCTIVE INDICATORS OF CHANGES IN OUR CLIMATE. NOW, NASA, IN COLLABORATION WITH EUROPEAN PARTNERS AND NOAA, IS LAUNCHING THE FIRST OF TWO SATELLITES THAT WILL EXTEND THE RECORD OF SEA LEVEL MEASUREMENTS THROUGH 2030.THE SENTINEL-6 MICHAEL FREILICH SATELLITE WILL ADD TO NEARLY 30 YEARS OF SEA LEVEL RECORDS AND WILL HELP ANSWER VITAL CLIMATE QUESTIONS. TODAY WE HAVE A NASA/NOAA TEAM MEMBER … TO TALK ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT MISSION... Click here for: Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich Media Reel. Includes links to associated b-roll Click HERE for lightly edited b-roll showing the launch animation and the satellite in orbit.Click here for the PRESS KITClick here for social media video in SPANISH Includes lightly edited b-roll from the launch animation sequence and various animations of the satellite in orbit Social media video in Spanish about the Sentinel6 Michael Freilich satellite. Soundbites with Erika Podest / JPL, climate scientist. TRT 4:12 For More InformationSee [5 Things to Know About Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich](https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/5-things-to-know-about-sentinel-6-michael-freilich)