SpaceX launched the Sentinel-6B ocean-mapping satellite from Vandenberg Space Force Base early Monday, marking the company’s 500th orbital mission using a reused Falcon 9 rocket.

The satellite continues the Copernicus program’s mission to precisely measure global sea surface heights and monitor rising oceans, a key indicator of climate change.

Sentinel-6B carries a radar altimeter from the European Space Agency and a NASA microwave radiometer to improve measurement accuracy.

SpaceX celebrated the milestone of 500 missions with flight-proven boosters, highlighting the progress of reusable rocket technology, Space.com has reported.

The launch supports long-term climate monitoring and demonstrates SpaceX’s ongoing role in advancing both Earth observation and space exploration.