t - 10 minutes

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

For NASA JPL engineer Parag Vaze, studying Earth’s rising ocean has been a career three decades in the making.

Jason-1 Altimeter

The ocean-observing Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Nov. 21, 2020 at 12:17 p.m. EST

These photos were taken during the Dual Payload Attach Fitting (DPAF) mating operation with Jason-1. (11/13/01) Photos: Scott Michel

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

This artist's concept show Jason-3 over the Amazon.

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

TOPEX/Poseidon Launch

Our planet is changing. Our ocean is rising. And it affects us all. That’s why a new international satellite will continue the decades-long watch over our global ocean and help us better understand...

Radiometer Install - Jan. 2007

Jason-3 Launch

The Antonov cargo aircraft carrying the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite touches down on the runway at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Sept. 24, 2020.

Launch preparations are progressing! (11/21/01) Photos: Stacy Mitchell of John Hopkins APL/TIMED project

This artist's concept shows Jason-3 over the California coast.

OSTM/Jason-2 Radiometer Antenna

Recorded live launch broadcast of Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich

Altimeter Applications - JPL Open House '99

QuickTime VR of TOPEX/Poseidon

This artist's concept show Jason-3 over France.

TOPEX/Poseidon Collecting Data

Radiometer Install - April 2007

OSTM/Jason-2 Line Drawing

Jason-1 launch images

Jason-1 Launch Configuration