Image of the month Jason-1 put to the test
Image of the month - April 1999
Big changes in temperature, high-energy radiation and micrometeorites are just some of the factors that make space such a very harsh environment. That is why satellites go through a whole series of tests before launch to make sure they will withstand the rigors of space.
Jason-1, the follow-on to Topex/Poseidon developed jointly by the French space agency Cnes and Nasa, is currently undergoing environmental tests on its hardware and onboard software. Tests are going smoothly and Jason-1 is right on schedule for its planned launch date on 18 May 2000.
