TOPEX/Poseidon Ground Tracks

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

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

Jason-1 Line Drawing

Jason-3

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

OSTM/Jason-2 Artist's Concept

Jason-3 on the Launch Pad

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 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.

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

The Jason-3 satellite, launched on January 17, 2016, is allowing scientists to continue a 23-year record of crucial ocean monitoring.

TOPEX/Poseidon over Earth

TOPEX/Poseidon Line Drawing

Fathoming the forces that determine global sea levels can be daunting. We present a guide to the basics of ocean surface topography.

Ice covers 10 percent of Earth's surface and helps moderate the planet's temperature.

Jason-1 launch images

High Resolution Jason-1 launch images

Jason-3 Ready for Launch

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

Jason-3 Launch

This is an artist's concept of the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich spacecraft.

Jason-3 3D Model

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

Jason-3 Animation