Fresh PCB Concepts: Resilience and Renewal in Domestic PCB Manufacturing
Designers Notebook: Power and Ground Distribution Basics
Elementary, Mr. Watson: Heat—The Hidden Villain of Power Electronics
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
"The I-Connect007 team is outstanding—kind, responsive, and a true marketing partner. Their design team created fresh, eye-catching ads, and their editorial support polished our content to let our brand shine. Thank you all! "
Sweeney Ng - CEE PCBSuggested Items
Infinite Electronics, RS Group Expand Partnership to Deliver L-com Connectivity Solutions to European and APAC Markets
11/03/2025 | PRNewswireL-com, an Infinite Electronics brand and a supplier of wired and wireless connectivity products, has expanded their strategic cooperation agreement with RS Group, a U.K.-based global provider of products and services for industrial customers, to begin distributing L-com products across European and APAC markets via the RS Group website.
Building PCBs and Policy in Europe: Group ACB Champions Advocacy, Standards Development, and Technical Leadership
10/30/2025 | Linda Stepanich, Community MagazineHow does a European PCB manufacturer navigate the competitive manufacturing landscape in Europe? By participating in standards development committee meetings, testifying before the European Commission on industry issues, and sponsoring hand-soldering competitions in the region. Group ACB, based in France and Belgium, focuses on high-reliability applications. The 37-year-old company is also active in the Global Electronics Association, giving credit for helping ACB to raise awareness of electronics manufacturing in Europe.
Redwire, Edge Autonomy, and UXV Partner to Advance European UAS Defense Innovation
10/29/2025 | BUSINESS WIRERedwire Corporation, a global leader in aerospace and defense technology solutions, announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Edge Autonomy, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UXV Technologies to strengthen cooperation in the field of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), marking an important step in advancing long-range uncrewed autonomous capabilities.
Airbus, Leonardo and Thales Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Create a Leading European Player in Space
10/28/2025 | AirbusAirbus, Leonardo and Thales have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at combining their respective space activities into a new company.
An EU at the Crossroads
10/23/2025 | Alison James, Global Electronics Association EuropeThe European Union stands at a crossroads. Over the past several years, geopolitical shifts have been increasingly shaping regional approaches to industrial policy and supply chain resiliency. The European Union is no different in this respect; its policies continue to be shaped by geopolitical and geo-economic developments.