TOPEX/Poseidon Ground Tracks

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

Earth’s rising seas are some of the most visible signs of our warming planet. Over the last 23 years, NASA satellite missions have observed a steady rise in global sea levels as polar ice sheets me...

Here we provide side by side comparisons of Pacific Ocean sea surface height (SSH) anomalies of what is presently happening in 2015 with the Pacific Ocean signal during the famous 1997 El Niño.

This illustration shows the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich spacecraft in orbit above Earth with its deployable solar panels extended.

Jason-3 Satellite Prepared For Launch

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

For NASA scientist Severine Fournier, studying our planet knows no borders.

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

t - 12 minutes

The ocean is responsible for Earth's mild climate and makes life on Earth possible for all creatures.

This video discusses the water cycle, which is the movement of water around the Earth, and its importance to life. Changes to the water cycle affect climate and vice versa.

Sea Level Isn't Level - Why it matters

Our World: How High is the Ocean?

Jason-1 launch images

Mission team members perform acoustic tests of the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite in a chamber outfitted with giant speakers that blast the spacecraft with sound. This is to ensure that the ...

Jason-3 Animation

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

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

Earth’s global sea levels are rising – and are doing so at an accelerating rate.

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

Jason-1 in full flight configuration

Jason-1 Launch - Artists Concept

Sea level rise is an indicator that our planet is warming. When ice on land, such as mountain glaciers or the ice sheets of Greenland or Antarctica, melts, that water contributes to sea level rise.

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

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.