# OSTM/Jason-2

> international Earth observation satellite mission

**Wikidata**: [Q2658896](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2658896)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OSTM/Jason-2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ostm-jason-2

## Summary
OSTM/Jason-2 is an international Earth observation satellite mission that measured ocean surface topography as part of the Jason satellite series. Launched on 2008-06-20 from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West on a Delta II rocket, it was operated by a multinational partnership (NOAA, EUMETSAT, NASA, and CNES) and exceeded its 3-year design life, providing over 11 years of service before retirement in October 2019.

## Key Facts
- OSTM/Jason-2 is an Earth observation satellite (part of the Jason series) named the Ocean Surface Topography Mission and also known as Jason-2 and Joint Altimetry Satellite Oceanography Network - 2.
- Launch date: 2008-06-20 at 07:46:25 (UTC). Launch site: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West.
- Launch vehicle: Delta II (configuration D-334). Launch contractor: United Launch Alliance.
- Operators: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), EUMETSAT, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and CNES (French space agency).
- Manufacturer: Alcatel Alenia Space. Spacecraft bus: PROTEUS.
- Mass: launch weight ~553 kg; dry mass ~525 kg.
- Power: two spacecraft solar arrays producing 550 W.
- Orbit regime: low Earth orbit. COSPAR ID / NSSDC ID: 2008-032A.
- Design life (service life design): 3 years; actual service life recorded: 11.3 years. Service retirement: 2019-10-01; spacecraft decommissioning: 2019-10-09.
- Followed Jason-1 and was followed by Jason-3 in the Jason satellite series.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary mission of OSTM/Jason-2?
A: OSTM/Jason-2 was an ocean surface topography mission designed to observe and measure the height and topography of the ocean surface from low Earth orbit as part of the Jason satellite series.

### Q: When and where was Jason-2 launched?
A: Jason-2 was launched on 2008-06-20 from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West aboard a Delta II (D-334) rocket.

### Q: Who operated and built Jason-2?
A: The mission was operated jointly by NOAA, EUMETSAT, NASA, and CNES. The spacecraft was manufactured by Alcatel Alenia Space using the PROTEUS bus.

### Q: How long did Jason-2 operate?
A: Jason-2 had a design life of 3 years but provided about 11.3 years of service. The mission was officially retired on 2019-10-01 and the spacecraft was decommissioned on 2019-10-09.

## Why It Matters
OSTM/Jason-2 provided continuity in the long-running Jason series of Earth observation satellites focused on ocean surface topography. By delivering precise measurements of sea-surface height from low Earth orbit, it continued a critical data record used for oceanography and related scientific and operational applications. The mission was a multinational collaboration that combined resources and expertise from U.S. and European agencies (NOAA, NASA, EUMETSAT, CNES) and built on heritage from Jason-1 while bridging to successor missions such as Jason-3. Technically, the spacecraft used the PROTEUS bus, was powered by two solar arrays producing 550 W, and was manufactured by Alcatel Alenia Space. Operationally, Jason-2 significantly outlived its 3-year design life, demonstrating robust engineering and producing sustained, long-term measurements over 11.3 years before retirement in October 2019. Those extended observations supported continuity of climate and ocean monitoring datasets that rely on consistent, multi-year satellite altimetry records.

## Notable For
- Exceeding its 3-year design life to provide approximately 11.3 years of operational service (2008–2019).
- Serving as the Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM) continuation of the American/French Jason satellite series between Jason-1 and Jason-3.
- Being a multinationally operated mission involving NOAA, EUMETSAT, NASA, and CNES.
- Launch from Vandenberg SLC-2W on a Delta II D-334 vehicle contracted to United Launch Alliance.
- Use of the PROTEUS spacecraft bus and manufacture by Alcatel Alenia Space with a compact launch mass (~553 kg).

## Body

### Overview
- Official name: OSTM/Jason-2 (Ocean Surface Topography Mission / Jason-2).
- Instance: Earth observation satellite; part of the Jason satellite series.
- Aliases: Jason-2, Joint Altimetry Satellite Oceanography Network - 2, Jason 2, OSTM, Джейсон-2.

### Mission and Purpose
- Primary mission: measure ocean surface topography (sea-surface height) from low Earth orbit.
- Role in series: followed Jason-1 and preceded Jason-3 to provide continuity of altimetry measurements.

### Launch and Deployment
- Launch date and time: 2008-06-20 at 07:46:25 (UTC).
- Launch site: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West.
- Launch vehicle: Delta II, configuration D-334.
- Launch contractor: United Launch Alliance.
- Significant launch event recorded: rocket launch from Vandenberg SLC-2W on 2008-06-20.

### Spacecraft and Technical Specifications
- Manufacturer: Alcatel Alenia Space.
- Spacecraft bus: PROTEUS.
- Launch mass: approximately 553 kg (launch weight).
- Dry mass: approximately 525 kg.
- Power: two spacecraft solar arrays producing 550 W.
- Orbit regime: low Earth orbit.
- COSPAR ID: 2008-032A. NSSDC ID: 2008-032A.

### Operations and Management
- Operators: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); EUMETSAT; National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); CNES.
- Website (mission summary): https://sealevel.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/ostm-jason-2/summary/

### Service Life and End of Mission
- Design life: 3 years (design).
- Recorded service life: 11.3 years.
- Service retirement date: 2019-10-01.
- Spacecraft decommissioning date: 2019-10-09.
- Significant events include mission end and decommissioning in October 2019.

### Series Context and Legacy
- Part of the Jason series of U.S./French Earth observation satellites.
- Followed Jason-1 and was followed by Jason-3, maintaining a continuous altimetry record across missions.

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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/jason-2.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://space.oscar.wmo.int/satellites/view/jason_2)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/ocean-monitoring-satellite-mission-ends-after-11-successful-years)
6. [Source](https://spacenews.com/decommissioned-earth-science-satellite-to-remain-in-orbit-for-centuries/)