Ariane 42P launch vehicle

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 4 at Vandenberg Air Force Base carrying the Jason-3 spacecraft. Liftoff was at 10:42 a.m. PST (1:42 p.m. EST).

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

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.

Jason-1 TRSR

TOPEX/Poseidon DORIS

Poseidon-3 Altimeter

Jason-3 on the Launch Pad

Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich Launch footage

Applications of Spaceborne Altimetry

Jason-3 Lifts Off!

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

TOPEX/Poseidon over Earth

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

Oceans' Role in Climate - Jason-1

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

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.

TOPEX/Poseidon Mission to Planet Earth

Experts from NASA, ESA, EUMETSAT, and NOAA discuss the upcoming launch of Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich in a recorded live broadcast

Jason-3

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

OSTM/Jason-2 GPSP

Radiometer Rework - April 2007

Jason-1 LRA

Jason-3 Animation

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