Ocean Surface Topography Mission/Jason 2 Begins Mapping Oceans

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Alan Buis (818) 354-0474
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
Alan.Buis@jpl.nasa.gov

Steve Cole 202-358-0918
NASA Headquarters, Washington
Stephen.e.cole@nasa.gov

NEWS RELEASE: 2008-151 July 30, 2008

Ocean Surface Topography Mission/Jason 2 Begins Mapping Oceans

PASADENA, Calif. – 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 show that mean
sea level has been rising by about three millimeters (.12 inches) a year since 1993.

The new maps were generated from the first 10 days of data collected once the new satellite,
OSTM/Jason 2, reached its operational orbit of 1,336 kilometers (830) miles on July 4. The new
satellite and its predecessor, Jason 1, are now 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. The French space agency processed the first
test results, followed by more advanced data results a week after launch. The more advanced results
came after calculating the precise location of the satellite's preliminary orbits. The satellite, its
instruments and ground segment are all functioning properly. Once 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 U.S.
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.

Once on-orbit commissioning of OSTM/Jason 2 is completed, CNES will hand over mission
operations and control to NOAA, which will then 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 .

JPL is managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

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