Ocean Surface Topography Mission/Jason 2 Begins Mapping Oceans

July 30, 2008

Steve Cole
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0918
stephen.e.cole@xxxxxxxx

Alan Buis
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
818-354-0474
alan.buis@xxxxxxxxxxxx

RELEASE: 08-189

OCEAN SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY MISSION/JASON 2 BEGINS MAPPING OCEANS

WASHINGTON -- Less than a month after launch, the NASA-French space
agency Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM)/Jason 2 oceanography
satellite has produced its first complete maps of global ocean
surface topography, surface wave height and wind speed.

The new data will help scientists monitor changes in global sea level
and the distribution of heat in the ocean. This information is used
to monitor climate change and ocean circulation, and to enable more
accurate weather, ocean and climate forecasts. The data reveal
patterns of sea level anomalies, which are used by scientists to
calculate the speed and direction of ocean surface currents.

The new mission extends a 16-year continuous record of global sea
level measurements begun in 1992 by the NASA/Centre National d'Etudes
Spatiales (CNES) TOPEX/Poseidon mission and continued by the two
agencies on Jason 1, launched in 2001. Data from TOPEX/Poseidon and
Jason 1 shows that mean sea level has been rising by about .12 inches
a year since 1993.

The new maps were generated from the first 10 days of data collected
once the new satellite reached its operational orbit of 830 miles on
July 4. OSTM/Jason 2 and its predecessor, Jason 1, now are flying in
formation in the same orbit approximately 55 seconds apart, making
nearly simultaneous measurements that are allowing scientists to
precisely calibrate the new satellite's instruments. Comparisons of
data from the two satellites on sea-level anomalies, significant wave
height and ocean wind speed all show very close correlation of all
measured parameters.

"These initial observations from OSTM/Jason 2 compare very closely to
those of Jason 1," said Lee-Lueng Fu, OSTM/Jason 2 project scientist
at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. "To be able to
collect such high-quality science data within a month of launch
breaks previous records. It is also a direct reflection of how mature
the field of satellite altimetry has become and of the seamless
cooperation of our international team."

The satellite's first radar altimeter data were acquired just 48
hours
after its launch on June 20 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.,
on a Delta II rocket. CNES processed the first test results, followed
by more advanced data results a week after launch. The more advanced
results were produced after calculating the precise location of the
satellite's preliminary orbits. The satellite, its instruments and
ground segment all are functioning properly. After it has been fully
calibrated and validated, the satellite will begin providing
oceanographic products to users around the world.

OSTM/Jason 2 is an international endeavor, with responsibilities for
satellite development and launch shared between NASA and CNES. CNES
provided the OSTM/Jason 2 spacecraft, NASA provided the launch, and
NASA and CNES jointly provided the primary payload instruments. CNES
and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are
responsible for satellite operations, while JPL is managing the
mission for NASA. Data processing is being carried out by CNES, the
European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological
Satellites (EUMETSAT) and NOAA, depending on the type of product.

After on-orbit commissioning of OSTM/Jason 2 is completed, CNES will
hand over mission operations and control to NOAA, which then will
join with EUMETSAT to generate, archive and distribute data products
to users worldwide.

For more information about OSTM/Jason 2, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ostm


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