U.S.-European satellite launches into orbit

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE» AU. S.-European satellite designed to extend a decadeslong measurement of global sea surface heights was launched into Earth orbit from California on Saturday. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the satellite blasted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 9:17 a.m. and arced southward over the Pacific Ocean. The Falcon’s first stage flew back to the launch site and landed for reuse. The Sentinel- 6Michael Freilich satellite was expected to deploy its solar panels and later make first contact with controllers. The satellite’s main instrument is an extremely accurate radar altimeter that will bounce energy off the sea surface as it sweeps over Earth’s oceans.