# Jason-3

> international Earth observation satellite mission

**Wikidata**: [Q22026427](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22026427)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason-3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jason-3

## Summary
Jason-3 is an international Earth observation satellite mission launched on January 17, 2016, designed to measure global sea surface height with high precision. It is part of the Jason satellite series and continues the legacy of ocean altimetry started by previous missions like TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason-2.

## Key Facts
- Launched on January 17, 2016, at 18:42:18 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East
- Built by Thales Alenia Space using the PROTEUS spacecraft bus
- Weighs 553 kg at launch (525 kg dry weight)
- Operated by NOAA, EUMETSAT, NASA, and CNES
- Powered by a 550 W photovoltaic system with 2 solar panels
- Designed for a 3-year service life in low Earth orbit
- Launched aboard a Falcon 9 v1.1 rocket (Flight 21, booster B1017)
- Has COSPAR ID 2016-002A and NSSDCA ID 2016-002A
- Named after the mythological Greek hero Jason

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of Jason-3?
A: Jason-3's primary purpose is to measure global sea surface height with high precision, providing critical data for ocean circulation, climate monitoring, and sea level rise tracking.

### Q: Who operates Jason-3?
A: Jason-3 is operated by a partnership between NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), EUMETSAT (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites), NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), and CNES (French space agency).

### Q: How long was Jason-3 designed to operate?
A: Jason-3 was designed for a 3-year service life, though many Earth observation satellites often continue operating beyond their design life.

## Why It Matters
Jason-3 plays a crucial role in our understanding of Earth's oceans and climate system. By providing precise measurements of sea surface height, it enables scientists to monitor ocean circulation patterns, track sea level rise, and improve weather and climate forecasting models. This data is essential for understanding the impacts of climate change, particularly as rising sea levels threaten coastal communities worldwide. The mission continues a 25-year legacy of ocean altimetry that has revolutionized our ability to observe and understand the dynamic nature of Earth's oceans. Jason-3's measurements support a wide range of applications, from marine navigation and offshore operations to hurricane intensity forecasting and El Niño monitoring, making it an invaluable tool for both scientific research and practical applications that affect millions of people globally.

## Notable For
- Continuation of the 25+ year Jason ocean altimetry mission series
- International collaboration between US, European, and French space agencies
- High-precision sea surface height measurements (within a few centimeters)
- First Jason mission launched on a commercial Falcon 9 rocket
- Critical data source for monitoring global sea level rise and climate change

## Body
### Mission Overview
Jason-3 is the fourth mission in the U.S.-European Jason satellite series that measures the height of the ocean surface. Launched on January 17, 2016, it continues the legacy of ocean surface topography measurements that began with the TOPEX/Poseidon mission in 1992.

### Technical Specifications
The satellite has a mass of 553 kg at launch and 525 kg in its dry configuration. It uses the PROTEUS spacecraft bus developed by Thales Alenia Space and is powered by a photovoltaic system generating 550 W from two solar panels. The satellite operates in low Earth orbit and carries multiple instruments including a radar altimeter, microwave radiometer, and precise orbit determination systems.

### International Partnership
The mission represents a collaboration between four major space agencies: NOAA and NASA from the United States, EUMETSAT from Europe, and CNES from France. This partnership combines resources and expertise to maintain continuous ocean monitoring capabilities.

### Scientific Instruments
Jason-3 carries a radar altimeter that measures sea surface height by bouncing radar pulses off the ocean surface. It also includes a microwave radiometer to correct for atmospheric water vapor delays and precise orbit determination systems using GPS and laser retroreflectors.

### Data Applications
The satellite provides data used for ocean circulation modeling, sea level rise monitoring, hurricane intensity forecasting, and El Niño/La Niña monitoring. Its measurements help improve climate models and support marine navigation and offshore operations.

### Launch and Operations
Launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 rocket (Flight 21, booster B1017) from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Jason-3 began operations after a successful launch and commissioning phase. The mission was designed for a 3-year operational life but continues to provide valuable data beyond this period.

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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/jason-2.htm)
2. [Source](https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/jason-3/mission.html)
3. [sentinel-6 (jason–cs)](https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/EarthObservation/Sentinel6_facts_2015.pdf)
4. Jonathan's Space Report
5. [Source](http://www.spacelaunchreport.com/falcon9ft.html)
6. [Source](https://space.oscar.wmo.int/satellites/view/jason_3)