SpaceX launches new NASA satellite, lands with boom

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket sent a new NASA and European Space Agency satellite into orbit from California on Saturday morning. The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite is the latest in a series of satellites that have provided critical data on sea level rise and climate change for nearly three decades. It is named after the former director of NASA’s Division of Earth Sciences, Michael Freilich, who is considered a pioneer in conducting oceanographic work from orbit.

The new bird spies the oceans will be able to measure the sea level to a few centimeters for 90% of the oceans around the world. A twin satellite named Sentinel-6B will join the effort when it launches in 2025. Instruments from the new satellites will also provide data on atmospheric temperature and humidity that will help improve weather forecasts, according to NASA.

The mission began with the rather rare launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base on the West Coast of the United States. A statement from Vandenberg sent earlier in the week warned that several sound booms could be heard in parts of Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties in California as the Falcon 9’s first stage returned for a landing after lifting. the satellite to orbit.

The loud booms could be heard on the mission’s webcast just before the Falcon 9’s first stage managed to land ashore a short distance from the launch pad. Check out the feed for yourself below.

This is just the start of a very busy day for SpaceX, which also plans to launch its latest batch of Starlink satellites from Florida.