In this module it was interesting to touch on the Jason – 2 satellite used by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) to measure sea surface water heights. I had not previously heard of this particular satellite program and did not realize that NOAA had there own satellite equipment orbiting the earth. In researching further, it seems there are actually four different organizations that have come together for this project. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), France’s Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), and European Meteorological Satellite Organisation (EUMETSAT) have all come together to assist NOAA with their need for ocean surface height modeling.
Jason – 2 was launched on June 20, 2008 and as early as December of that same year scientists the world over were able to begin accessing the valuable data sets. Jason- 2 orbits the earths surface every 10 days accumulating surface height data internationally in all of the world’s ice free oceans. The satellite gathers data for not only surface height but also for sea level rise/fall and ocean circulation patterns. Jason – 2 is packed with altimeters as well to measure ocean heat and help forecasters to assist in predictions of tropical weather intensity and El -Nino/Nina weather patterns.
Just recently, in January 2016, Jason – 3 was launched at a cost of approximately $177 million, to continue the efforts of earlier versions of Jason in measuring and observing ocean surface topography. Sometime in mid 2020, NOAA and participating organizations plan to launch a new version, Jason CS, which will have a longer life cycle and improved altimeter and radiometer to continue in the efforts to collect and analyze oceanic topography and conditions in order to further study climate change.
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20081216_jason2.html
http://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/jason-3/mission.html
https://sealevel.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/jason3/
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