How a single satellite tracks the rising pulse of our oceans
In short: High above Earth, the Jason-3 satellite performs a delicate dance of measurement. By bouncing radar signals off the waves, it monitors sea surface height, helping scientists predict devastating hurricanes and track the long-term threat of global sea level rise.
Launched in January 2016 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Jason-3 is the fourth mission in a sophisticated U.S.-European series of ocean altimetry satellites. It follows the lineage of TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1, and Jason-2, contributing to a vital continuous record of global mean sea level that has been accumulating since 1992. Operating in a low Earth orbit at an altitude of 1336km, the mission serves as a critical link in understanding how our climate system functions.
The satellite's primary tool is the Poseidon-3B radar altimeter. This instrument measures the distance between the spacecraft and the ocean surface, while also capturing data on wind speed and significant wave height. To ensure precision, the mission employs the Advanced Microwave Radiometer (AMR) to measure atmospheric water vapour, which allows scientists to correct for signal interference. Other instruments, including the DORIS system, the GPSP, and a Laser Retroreflector Array, work in tandem to maintain an exact track of the satellite's orbital position.
This mission is far more than a simple mapping project; it is a feat of international diplomacy and science. The project is a partnership between NASA, NOAA, France’s CNES, and EUMETSAT, with funding from the European Union’s Copernicus programme. Jason-3 delivers critical information for predicting seasonal patterns and analysing the energy exchange between the atmosphere and oceans by tracking the movement and storage of carbon, water, and heat within the sea. This high-stakes monitoring is vital for the resilience of coastal communities facing an increasingly volatile environment.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Science of Jason-3
- Also: Jason-3
- Also: sealevel.jpl.nasa.gov — The Science of Jason-3 | Ocean Surface Topography from Space
- Also: NASA Science — Jason-3 - NASA Science
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