The Minoans were a sophisticated Bronze Age civilization (c. 3100–1100 BC) on Crete and widely regarded as Europe’s earliest advanced culture. They are best known for their impressive palace complexes, most notably Knossos, and for their far-reaching maritime trade, which most likely relied on celestial navigation and a detailed understanding of the constellations. The Minoans recognised a hidden order in the natural world: a force to be respected, yet also harnessed for human benefit. Their era, the Age of Bronze, marked a pivotal moment in the development of human society.

Today, our own relationship with nature must find a new equilibrium. The need to monitor environmental change has never been more urgent, and satellites provide the most powerful means of doing so. This video draws a line from the world of the Minoans to the satellites orbiting above us today, highlighting the vital role of metrology – the science of measurement – in ensuring that the data they provide are accurate and trustworthy. And it turns out that Crete is an ideal location for unique reference network that helps carry out this important task – and particularly important for the Copernicus Sentinel-6 mission. 

The Sentinel-6 satellites carry the latest radar altimetry technology to further extend the sea-surface height record that began in the early 1990s. These measurements help scientists understand sea-level rise – crucial information for shaping climate policy and protecting the millions of people living in coastal areas around the world.

The first Sentinel-6 satellite was launched in November 2020, followed by Sentinel-6B in November 2025.