![]() (OSTM) - Jason 2 OverviewThe Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM) is a joint effort by four organizations to measure sea surface height by using a radar altimeter mounted on a low-earth orbiting satellite called Jason-2. The four mission participants are:
The Jason-2 satellite mission launched successfully on June 20, 2008. This satellite altimetry mission provides sea surface heights for determining ocean circulation, climate change and sea-level rise. The Jason-2 satellite is the follow-on to the TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason-1 satellites. The research satellites, TOPEX/POSEIDON and Jason-1, have been instrumental in meeting NOAA’s operational need for sea surface height measurements necessary for ocean modeling, forecasting El Niño/La Niña events, and hurricane intensity prediction. Under the OSTM program NOAA provides support from its satellite ground segment capabilities for management of the Jason-2 Satellite flight operations during its routine operational phases and acquires, produces, and distributes geophysical data in a manner beneficial to all interested users. |
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