Ocean Surface Topography Mission/Jason 2 Begins Mapping Oceans
Less than a month after launch, the new NASA-French space agency Jason 2 oceanography satellite has produced its first complete maps.
PASADENA, Calif. – Less than a month after launch, the NASA-French 
space agency Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM)/Jason 2 
oceanography satellite has produced its first complete maps of 
global ocean surface topography, surface wave height and wind speed.The new data will help scientists monitor changes in global sea level 
and the distribution of heat in the ocean. This information is used to 
monitor climate change and ocean circulation, and to enable more accurate 
weather, ocean and climate forecasts. The data reveal patterns of sea level 
anomalies, which are used by scientists to calculate the speed and 
direction of ocean surface currents.The new mission extends a 16-year continuous record of global sea level 
measurements begun in 1992 by the NASA/Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales 
(CNES) Topex/Poseidon mission and continued by the two agencies on Jason 1, 
launched in 2001. Data from Topex/Poseidon and Jason 1 show that mean sea level 
has been rising by about three millimeters (.12 inches) a year since 1993.The new maps were generated from the first 10 days of data collected once 
the new satellite, OSTM/Jason 2, reached its operational orbit of 1,336 kilometers 
(830 miles) on July 4. The new satellite and its predecessor, Jason 1, are now flying 
in formation in the same orbit approximately 55 seconds apart, making nearly 
simultaneous measurements that are allowing scientists to precisely calibrate 
the new satellite's instruments. Comparisons of data from the two satellites on 
sea-level anomalies, significant wave height and ocean wind speed all show very 
close correlation of all measured parameters."These initial observations from OSTM/Jason 2 compare very closely to those of Jason 1," 
said Lee-Lueng Fu, OSTM/Jason 2 project scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 
Pasadena, Calif. "To be able to collect such high-quality science data within a month 
of launch breaks previous records. It is also a direct reflection of how mature the 
field of satellite altimetry has become and of the seamless cooperation of our international team."The satellite's first radar altimeter data were acquired just 48 hours after its 
launch on June 20 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on a Delta II rocket. The 
French space agency processed the first test results, followed by more advanced data 
results a week after launch. The more advanced results came after calculating the 
precise location of the satellite's preliminary orbits. The satellite, its instruments 
and ground segment are all functioning properly. Once it has been fully calibrated and 
validated, the satellite will begin providing oceanographic products to users around the world.OSTM/Jason 2 is an international endeavor, with responsibilities for satellite development 
and launch shared between NASA and CNES. CNES provided the OSTM/Jason 2 spacecraft, NASA 
provided the launch, and NASA and CNES jointly provided the primary payload instruments. 
CNES and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are responsible for 
satellite operations, while JPL is managing the mission for NASA. Data processing is being 
carried out by CNES, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological 
Satellites (EUMETSAT) and NOAA, depending on the type of product.Once on-orbit commissioning of OSTM/Jason 2 is completed, CNES will hand over mission 
operations and control to NOAA, which will then join with EUMETSAT to generate, archive 
and distribute data products to users worldwide.For more information about OSTM/Jason 2, visit:http://www.nasa.gov/ostm.JPL is managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.