MISSIONS - Jason-1 Launch
Jason-1 Launched on December 7, 2001
See the Jason-1 Launch Footage
Jason-1 launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on December 7, 2001. The launch vechicle was a
Delta II, which was shared with another NASA mission, TIMED. Jason-1 was separated first.
Jason-1 Launch Highlights:
Jason-1 Mission Status (01/04/01) TOP
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The Jason-1 spacecraft and instruments continue to perform very
well, meeting all mission requirements. Jason-1 is approaching its
target orbital plane for alignment with TOPEX/Poseidon. Orbital
maneuvers scheduled over the next week will place Jason-1 in a position
one minute ahead of, and in the same orbit as TOPEX/Poseidon. The
rendezvous is scheduled to take place in the early morning of January
10, 2002
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Jason-1 launched successfully (12/07/01) TOP
Jason-1 on the Delta II (12/04/01) TOP
Jason status report from Vandenberg as of 4 Dec 2001, T-3 days and counting.
The Delta clam shell fairings were installed starting late Saturday evening and completed late Sunday.
The Jason Test team has completed all planned satellite testing and the only activity is the on going battery trickle charging.
A NASA Flight Readiness Review was held on Monday, 3 Dec at Vandenberg AFB with participants from NASA Headquarters,
Boeing, CNES, JPL, USAF and all areas that are involved with the launch. The unanimous decision ... GO FOR LAUNCH.
The weather outlook for Friday's launch is lots of sunshine and clear. A great day for a rocket launch.
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Jason-1 atop the Delta II
JPEG (172 K)
Photo: Tom Shain
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Jason-1 on top of the DPAF
JPEG (480 K)
Photo: Tom Shain
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Inside half of the Delta Clam shell faring
JPEG (504 K)
Photo: Tom Shain
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Mike Davis in front of the faring
JPEG (548 K)
Photo: Tom Shain
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Jason-1: TRSR instrument
JPEG (408 K)
Photo: Scott Michel
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Jason-1: JMR instrument
JPEG (440 K)
Photo: Scott Michel
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Jason-1: LRA instrument
JPEG (448 K)
Photo: Scott Michel
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Jason-1 in full flight configuration
JPEG (572 K)
Photo: Tom Shain
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Launch preparations are progressing! (11/21/01) TOP
Jason-1 is at the launch tower.
Photos: Stacy Mitchell of John Hopkins APL/TIMED project
Preparations for the Jason-1 launch are continuing at Vandenberg AFB. (11/14/01) TOP
These photos were taken during the Dual Payload Attach Fitting (DPAF)
mating operation with Jason-1. This set shows Jason-1 and the Upper
Payload Attach Fitting (PAF) during lifting operations in the
Spaceport Systems International (SSI) High Bay at Vandenberg Air
Force Base. The Jason-1 spacecraft is being transported by crane to
the top of the Dual Payload Attach Fitting (DPAF). Photos: Scott Michel
These photographs show Jason-1 on top of the Dual Payload Attach
Fitting (DPAF). Boeing mated the Jason-1 Payload Attach Fitting
(PAF) on the DPAF. One photograph shows the entire DPAF with Jason-1
on the very top. Photos: Scott Michel
Jason-1 in its bay at Vandenberg Air Force Base (10/31/01) TOP
The Jason-1 Satellite has successfully completed all testing of the
onboard instruments and control systems. All multi-layer insulation
(MLI), also referred to as thermal blankets, are all installed and
secured for flight. Jason-1 is in its flight configuration.
The next major milestone is loading approximately 28 liters of
Hydrazine on board the Satellite. Hydrazine is the fuel that is
utilized with the Satellite thrusters to keep the correct attitude and
for performing small maneuvers. This process is considered hazardous
and only
personnel directly involved with the task are allowed to remain in the
facility. The fueling process take approximately two days: one day for the
actual fuel loading and the second day to pressurize the system and check
for any possible leaks.
Once the fueling task is complete, the Satellite will be powered up to
verify proper operations. Also during this time, Jason will go through
a final external cleaning, additional battery charging, and weighing of
the Satellite.
The next major activity is the mating of the Jason-1 Satellite on top
of the TIMED Satellite canister. On or about November 20, Jason and
TIMED are mounted inside a specialized Boeing transporter andwill be
transported to Space Launch Complex 2 (SLC2) for erection onto the Delta II Rocket.
Launch is scheduled for December 7, 2001.
Additional images:
Jason-1 Arrives at Vandenberg Air Force Base (07/31/01)
Read the JPL press release. TOP
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Jason-1 arrives at Vandenberg, AFB
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On hand for the arrival
From Left: Mike Davis, Tom Shain, Chris Alvarado, Gary Kunstmann
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Jason-1 being unloaded
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Jason-1 Launch Related images TOP
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Jason-1 Launch Tower at Vandenberg, AFB
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Jason-1 will be launched on a Delta II (shown here)
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Jason-1 launch configuration
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Jason-1 Movies/Animations TOP
Jason-1 launch animation
Take a ride on a Delta II, hear the roar of the engines, and watch as Jason-1 is launched. See the solar arrays unfold, as
Jason-1 is powered up and takes it's place along with TOPEX/Poseidon to continue measuring our oceans.
All of this is captured in a
5 minute animation of Jason-1. There are many download and viewing options for this animation, so go to the
Jason-1 launch animation page and select the option that is best for you.
Jason-1 at the launch tower
This movie is an "operation" MPEG file recorded by Mr. Thierry Lafon (CNES). It shows the Jason-1 and TIMED spacecraft
being hoisted up from the base of SLC-2 W (By Boeing) into the White Room inside the Mobile Service Tower (MST) that surrounds
the Delta II launch vehicle. Once the canister containing Jason-1/TIMED and DPAF is inside the MST, the canister is mounted
onto the Delta II 2nd stage. After this the white room external doors are closed and the Handling Canister is disassembled
with the DPAF, Jason-1 and TIMED mounted on the LV.
(MPEG 1.3 MB)
The Tandem Mission:
Soon after launch, Jason-1 deployed it's solar array,
powered-up the instruments, and oriented the altimeter
to point to geodetic nadir.
It then moved into position in front of TOPEX/Poseidon
following the same groundtrack.
The near simultaneous measurements from the same altitude of the
same sea surface locations by the Jason-1 and TOPEX/Poseidon altimeters
will enable a rigorous comparison and correlation of the Jason-1
and TOPEX/Poseidon altimetry results.
For more details watch the tandem mission animation (1 MB Flash animation) or
read more about it on the Science tandem mission page or the Technology tandem mission page.
The Jason-1 animation: This is a short animation showing the Jason-1 spacecraft deploying it's solar arrays.
The Jason-1 animation AVI (3.2 MB)
For more information, visit Aviso's Jason-1 Launch Page.
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