TOPEX/Poseidon Altimeter

Wave Height

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

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, topped with the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite secured inside its payload fairing, is rolled to Space Launch Complex 4

Sea Level

Jason-1 LRA

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.

OSTM/Jason-2 Radiometer Antenna

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

These photos were taken during the Payload Attach Fitting (PAF) mating operation with Jason-1. (11/14/01) Photos: Scott Michel

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, topped with the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite secured inside its payload fairing, is rolled to Space Launch Complex 4

Poseidon-3 Altimeter

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

OSTM/Jason-2 LRA

Ocean Dynamic Topography

OSTM/Jason-2 Radiometer Antenna

TOPEX/Poseidon LRA

Jason-1 Altimeter

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

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.

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.

Mike Davis in front of the faring

Jason-1: TRSR instrument

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

Jason-1 DORIS

Launching aboard the joint U.S.-European Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite is NASA’s next instrument that will help improve weather forecasting.