European satellite detects dramatic sea level rise!

European satellite detects dramatic sea level rise!

The upcoming launch of the Sentinel-6B satellite on November 17, 2025 was discussed at a press event hosted by the European Space Agency (ESA) today. Sentinel-6B is part of the Earth observation program “Copernicus” and is operated by ESA in collaboration with the EU Commission. Together with its predecessor Sentinel-6A, active since the early 1990s, these satellites have played an essential role in accurately measuring global sea levels. The combined cost of both satellites is around 400 million euros, with around 40 companies involved, including Vienna-based space company Beyond Gravity.

Sentinel-6A shows a worrying trend: While sea levels rose by an average of about 2 mm per year between 1993 and 2003, the current satellite has now documented a rise of 4.2 mm per year. This means that the total sea level rise since 1999 is already 9.38 cm. This data is particularly important because around 900 million people live in low-lying areas at risk of flooding from rising sea levels. Despite the alarming data, the voices of the island states and the affected regions are often little heard.

Relevance of satellite data

The findings from satellite measurements are not only important for environmental research, but are also incorporated into various practical applications. The data supports, among other things, weather forecasts, the management of coastal areas and shipping safety. Every ten days the entire Earth is covered by the satellites, enabling highly precise altitude measurements. These are crucial for short-term forecasts about extreme weather events, pollutant drift in the water and the temperature of the oceans.

In addition, a recent study by researchers at Tulane University showed that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) forecasts from 1996, which predicted a global sea level rise of almost eight centimeters over the next 30 years, were extremely accurate. In fact, the real increase since 1996 has totaled nine centimeters, exceeding the IPCC forecast. This difference is attributed in part to the melting ice sheets in the Arctic and Antarctic, as models at the time underestimated the influence of warming oceans on the stability of these ice sheets.

Importance of regional analysis

The challenge for scientists remains to translate the global data into specific regional forecasts to help develop adaptation measures. Sea level is not rising uniformly everywhere, so significant variability is observed. Research plays a critical role here, with data from NASA satellite missions and NOAA ocean observing programs being critically valuable.

Overall, the current trend of sea level rise shows that there is an urgent need for action to minimize the risks for the most affected regions. The upcoming technical developments and more intensive international cooperation are essential to meet the challenges of climate change.

Further information on the measurements of sea level rise and the associated findings can be found in Kleine Zeitung and Research and Knowledge.