A joint US-European space mission to study the effects of global warming on the world’s oceans has a new name to honor NASA’s Michael Freilich.
A key ocean observation satellite launching this fall will honor scientist Freilich, who retired last year after 13 years as head of the agency’s Earth Science division.
“This honor demonstrates the global reach of Mike’s legacy,” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a statement following a Tuesday announcement.
The Sentinel-6A/Jason CS satellite, scheduled for dispatch later this year from Vandenberg Air Force base in California, will now be known as Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich.
This is only the second mission named for a living person; Eugene Parker (of Parker Solar Probe fame) became the first in 2018.
Part of a two-fold mission to measure the oceans’ altitude over the next decade, the renamed satellite will launch first, followed in five years by Sentinel-6B.
Each will replace older spacecraft nearing the end of their operational life, ensuring no gaps in ongoing land, atmosphere, and ocean monitoring.
Freilich’s career as an oceanographer spanned nearly four decades, 16 successful mission and instrument launches, and eight CubeSat/small-satellite launches.
“Mike’s contributions to NASA—and to Earth science worldwide—have been invaluable” Bridenstine said. “We are thrilled that this satellite bearing his name will uncover new knowledge about the oceans for which he has such an abiding passion.”
“Mike exemplifies the commitment to excellence, generosity of spirit, and unmatched ability to inspire trust,” Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA associate administrator for Science, echoed. “The fact that ESA and the European partners have given him this unprecedented honor demonstrates that respect and admiration.”
Sentinel-6 will also collect high-resolution vertical profiles of temperature changes in the troposphere and stratosphere, for use by weather agencies to improve the accuracy of global forecasts.
NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), European Commission, European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), christened the satellite during a special event in Washington, D.C.
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