Jason-3
Jason-3 continues the high-precision ocean-altimetry record begun by TOPEX/Poseidon and the first two Jason missions. Launched on January 17, 2016, it measures sea-surface height for climate monitoring, operational oceanography and seasonal forecasting. NOAA and EUMETSAT lead the operational partnership, with CNES coordinating the system and NASA supporting science and mission contributions. After observing on the reference ground track through early April 2022, Jason-3 entered an interleaved repeat orbit on April 25, 2022, adding complementary spatial sampling to the continuing altimetry constellation.
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Identity
- Aliases
- Jason-3Jason 3Jason-3/Ocean Surface Topography Mission
- Name
- Jason-3
- Status
- active
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- Jason-3 continues the high-precision ocean-altimetry record begun by TOPEX/Poseidon and the first two Jason missions. Launched on January 17, 2016, it measures sea-surface height for climate monitoring, operational oceanography and seasonal forecasting. NOAA and EUMETSAT lead the operational partnership, with CNES coordinating the system and NASA supporting science and mission contributions. After observing on the reference ground track through early April 2022, Jason-3 entered an interleaved repeat orbit on April 25, 2022, adding complementary spatial sampling to the continuing altimetry constellation.
- Destination
- Circular, non-sun-synchronous orbit at 1336 km (66° inclination) for ocean-surface height measurements supporting sea-level, ocean-circulation, and climate studies
- Launch Site
- Outcome
- Launched January 17, 2016, Jason-3 continues the long-term record of global ocean-surface topography and sea-level measurements.
- Programs
- Start Date
- 2016-01-17
- Vehicle Families
Links
- Official Url
- https://science.nasa.gov/mission/jason-3/
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 14, 2026 at 19:25:06 UTC
- Updated Time
- October 29, 2026 at 15:20:58 UTC
Other
- Affiliations
- Space Stations
- -
- Vehicles