BackForward Satellite Programme: Sentinel-6 

Programme details
Programme description
  • Series of two operational satellites for ocean altimetry.  Previous name: JASON-CS (Joint Altimetry Satellite Oceanography Network - Continuity of Service)
  • International programme run by ESA, NASA, CNES, EUMETSAT and NOAA, sponsored by the European Commission (EC).
  • The platforms are actively stabilised over 3 axes.
  • The design life time of the satellites is 7 years.
  • The satellites are placed in a medium-height, 66° inclination orbit, particularly stable, suitable for geodetic purposes.
  • The replacement policy is based on launching satellites in sequence, roughly 6 months before the expected end-of-life of a satellite.
Data circulation
  • TBD
Agencies EUMETSAT , CNES, EC, ESA, NASA, NOAA
Programme lifetime 2020 - 2036
Associated satellites and instruments

Note: red tag => no longer operational , green tag => operational , blue tag => planned