# TOPEX/Poseidon

> satellite mission to map ocean surface topography

**Wikidata**: [Q1431818](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1431818)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOPEX/Poseidon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/topex-poseidon

## Summary
TOPEX/Poseidon is an Earth observation satellite mission designed to map ocean surface topography. It was launched on 1992-08-10 aboard an Ariane 42P rocket from launch site ELA-2 and is built on the MultiMission Modular Spacecraft bus.

## Key Facts
- Primary purpose: satellite mission to map ocean surface topography.  
- Launch date: 1992-08-10.  
- Launch vehicle: Ariane 42P.  
- Launch site / start point: ELA-2.  
- Spacecraft bus: MultiMission Modular Spacecraft.  
- Classification: Earth observation satellite; space instrument.  
- COSPAR ID: 1992-052A.  
- NAIF ID: -97.  
- SCN (internal/catalog value): 22076.  
- Aliases: Satellite TOPEX; TOPEX/Poséidon; TOPEX/Poseidon.  
- Image available: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/TOPEX-Poseidon.gif.  
- Wikidata description: satellite mission to map ocean surface topography.  
- Wikimedia sitelink count: 13; Wikipedia/Commons language entries include commons, de, en, fi, fr, gl, id, ja, nl, pt.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of TOPEX/Poseidon?
A: TOPEX/Poseidon was a satellite mission whose primary purpose was to map ocean surface topography.

### Q: When and how was TOPEX/Poseidon launched?
A: TOPEX/Poseidon was launched on 1992-08-10 from launch site ELA-2 aboard an Ariane 42P rocket.

### Q: What type of spacecraft is TOPEX/Poseidon built on?
A: The satellite was built on the MultiMission Modular Spacecraft bus.

### Q: What identifiers are assigned to TOPEX/Poseidon?
A: The mission’s COSPAR ID is 1992-052A and its NAIF ID is -97.

## Why It Matters
TOPEX/Poseidon is significant because it is explicitly dedicated to mapping ocean surface topography, providing specialized, systematic measurements of the sea surface from orbit. As an Earth observation satellite and space instrument built on a proven MultiMission Modular Spacecraft bus, it represents a focused application of orbital remote sensing to oceanography. The mission’s launch on 1992-08-10 via an Ariane 42P rocket from ELA-2 marks a specific deployment that enabled sustained collection of ocean surface height data. Unique, persistent datasets from such a mission support scientific understanding and monitoring of ocean circulation, sea level patterns, and related climate and oceanographic research. Its formal identifiers (COSPAR 1992-052A, NAIF -97) and presence in multiple reference systems and Wikimedia entries make it a well-documented asset in Earth observation catalogues.

## Notable For
- A satellite mission specifically tasked to map ocean surface topography.  
- Launched on 1992-08-10 from ELA-2 by an Ariane 42P rocket.  
- Built on the MultiMission Modular Spacecraft bus.  
- Assigned global identifiers: COSPAR 1992-052A and NAIF ID -97.  
- Widely documented across Wikimedia and reference systems (sitelink count 13; commons category "TOPEX/Poseidon").

## Body

### Overview
- Name: TOPEX/Poseidon (also styled TOPEX/Poséidon; Satellite TOPEX).  
- Short description: satellite mission to map ocean surface topography.  
- Instance of: Earth observation satellite and space instrument.

### Mission and Purpose
- Principal mission objective: mapping ocean surface topography.  
- The mission is categorized as an Earth observation effort focused on oceanographic measurements.

### Launch Details
- Launch date: 1992-08-10.  
- Launch vehicle: Ariane 42P.  
- Launch site / start point: ELA-2.  
- Significant event recorded: rocket launch on 1992-08-10 at ELA-2.

### Spacecraft and Technical
- Spacecraft bus: MultiMission Modular Spacecraft.  
- Classified as a space instrument used for Earth observation missions.

### Identifiers and Catalog Entries
- COSPAR ID: 1992-052A.  
- NAIF ID: -97.  
- SCN: 22076.  
- Freebase ID: /m/055jm5.  
- Wolfram Language Entity Code: Entity["Satellite", "22076"].  
- Encyclopædia Universalis ID: lancement-du-satellite-topex-poseidon.

### Documentation and Media
- Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/TOPEX-Poseidon.gif.  
- Commons category: TOPEX/Poseidon.  
- Wikipedia title: TOPEX/Poseidon.  
- Wikipedia / Commons language entries include commons, de, en, fi, fr, gl, id, ja, nl, pt.  
- Wikimedia sitelink count: 13.

### Other registry entries
- Store ID (Google Play): Topex/Poseidon.  
- Freebase reference with publication date: 2013-10-28.  

### Notes
- All facts in this entry are drawn from the provided source metadata and identifiers.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sat/fairchild_mms.htm)
4. [Source](https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/pub/naif/toolkit_docs/C/req/naif_ids.html)