QuickTime VR of TOPEX/Poseidon

One of the best ways to understand Earth's ocean is from the perspective of space.

Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich Launch footage

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 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.

The Jason-2 satellite sees something brewing in the Pacific. Researchers say it could be a significant El Niño with implications for global weather and climate.

After living in coastal Virginia and seeing the effects of climate change firsthand, Ben Hamlington is now researching sea level rise at NASA JPL.

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

Jason-3 on the Launch Pad

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

Sea Surface Height - Global Average from 1993 - 2011.

Jason-3 3D Model

Ariane 42P launch vehicle

On the left is Sea Surface Height Anomalies (SSHA) relative to the sea level mean (1993-2018). On the right is Global Mean Sea Level (GMSL) with the sea level trend as the straight line. The data a...

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

Our World: How High is the Ocean?

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

Jason-1 launch images

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

It’s not only water processes that play a role in global sea level rise – ground movements can play a significant role as well.

This visualization shows total sea level change between 1992 and 2019, based on data collected from the TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1, Jason-2, and Jason-3 satellites. Blue regions are where sea level ha...

Watching Our Oceans

A look at how NASA is dealing with the threat of sea level rise to its coastal infrastructure.

SSH and SST - Pacific Ocean

High Resolution Jason-1 launch images