Jason-3 Animation

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

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

For NASA JPL engineer Parag Vaze, studying Earth’s rising ocean has been a career three decades in the making.

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

High Resolution Jason-1 launch images

B-roll for media. The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich is an Earth-observing satellite that will collect data on sea level and how it changes over time. By measuring sea surface height, scientists world...

NASA and its U.S. and international partners have teamed up to launch a new Earth-observing satellite called Sentinel-6B that will measure sea surface height of most of the planet’s ocean. These ob...

Sea Level Isn't Level - Why it matters

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

For NASA engineer Shannon Statham, building spacecraft is all about being creative.

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

To provide scientists with essential information about global and regional changes in the seas, NASA will launch the Jason-3 satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

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

TOPEX/Poseidon Artist's Concept

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.

High Resolution Jason-1 launch images

It's hard to "see" sea level rise by just looking at the ocean, but its effects are very real.

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

NASA Climate Watcher Waves Goodbye

Our planet is changing. Our ocean is rising. And it affects us all. That’s why a new international satellite will continue the decades-long watch over our global ocean and help us better understand...

This artist's concept show Jason-3 over the Amazon.

TOPEX/Poseidon Instruments

El Niño/La Niña - (12/1996 - 01/2000)

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.

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