Bringing Satellite Data Down to Earth

Jason-1 readies for launch in its bay at Vandenberg, AFB (10/31/01)

Greenland and Antarctica are home to most of the world's glacial ice – including its only two ice sheets – making them areas of particular interest to scientists.

The Falcon 9 protective payload fairing containing the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite

TOPEX/Poseidon Altimeter

Jason-1 in full flight configuration

Jason-3 Satellite Prepared For Launch

In this illustration, the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich spacecraft - the world's latest sea-level satellite - orbits Earth with its deployable solar panels extended.

Jason-1 launch images

The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite sits in front of a testing chamber where mission team members tested whether the spacecraft could endure the loud sounds it will encounter during launch.

Radiometer Install - Jan. 2007

For NASA engineer Shannon Statham, building spacecraft is all about being creative.

El Niño Poster

Jason-1 readies for launch in its bay at Vandenberg, AFB (10/31/01)

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich spacecraft lifts off from Space Launch Complex 4 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Nov. 21, 2020, at 9:17 a.m. PST

Jason-1 with 3 Ships

In many communities in the U.S., sea level rise is already a factor in people’s lives in the form of high-tide flooding.

High Resolution Jason-1 launch images

Jason-1 readies for launch in its bay at Vandenberg, AFB (10/31/01)

Inside half of the Delta Clam shell faring

TOPEX/Poseidon Line Drawing

OSTM/Jason-2 Artist's Concept

Jason-1 atop the Delta II Photo: Tom Shain

TOPEX/Poseidon DORIS

t - 12 minutes

Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich spacecraft logo