How Two U.S. and European Satellites Are Studying Hurricanes During El Niño
NASA and European partners launched the Sentinel-6B satellite last November to improve hurricane forecasts, protect infrastructure and support commercial industries including shipping. Sentinel-6B now flies 30 seconds behind Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, allowing the two satellites to provide precise sea-level measurements during a period oceanographers expect to be a historic El Niño.
NASA and its European partners launched Sentinel-6B last November to improve hurricane forecasts, help protect infrastructure and support commercial industries, including shipping.
The satellite now flies 30 seconds behind its predecessor, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich. Together, the satellites provide precise sea-level height measurements during a period that oceanographers expect to be a historic El Niño.
THE QUESTIONS THIS EVENT LEAVES BEHIND
What specific measurements from the two satellites will be used to improve hurricane forecasts?
How will the satellite data affect decisions about protecting infrastructure?
What conditions could limit the usefulness of the measurements during the expected El Niño?
Which commercial industries besides shipping are expected to use the data?
How will scientists distinguish effects associated with El Niño from other influences on sea-level height?
YOUR QUESTION
Does this story leave you with another question?
Send us the question the report did not answer. It may become the next question IAQ investigates.
GLOBAL CURIOSITY MAP · AUGUST 2026