How 2 US, European Satellites Are Studying Hurricanes During El Niño

NASA and its European partners initiated operations of the Sentinel-6B satellite in November to enhance hurricane forecasting capabilities. This new satellite is currently positioned approximately 30 seconds behind the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich spacecraft. The primary objective of this mission involves collecting precise sea level height data across the world’s oceans. Oceanographers anticipate that the current conditions will coincide with a significant El Niño event, intensifying the need for accurate monitoring. These measurements are crucial for protecting infrastructure and supporting commercial industries like shipping, providing vital information during potentially severe weather events.