Category: News of the other missions

Jason-1 has been delivering sea surface heights for six years

Jason-1 was launched on December 7, 2001, but the first measurements delivered to users date from January 15 2002. Six years later, we begin today cycle 222. In the meantime, eddies, currents, mean sea level or El Niño heights were measured. Long-term observations In six years, Jason-1 has strengthened Topex/Poseidon results, and ensured measurements’ continuity. We now have, in particular, more than 15 years of continuous mean sea level measurements. This series of data shows the rise in sea level, and the importance of carrying on these observations. Together, a better resolution One of the clearer points was made not by Jason-1 alone, but by the combination of all altimeters working together. These last years show the altimetry user community using more and more data merging measurements from all the altimetry satellites, the only ones enabling to study mesoscale phenomena. Soon... During year 2008 (June 16,) in order to ensure the continuity, Jason-2 should join with Jason-1, on the same orbit at 1 minute interval (the same way Jason-1 and Topex/Poseidon in 2002). Following the same scheme, once the inflight qualificiation phase ended (about six months after launch), Jason-1 should be shifted on a new orbit.