Jason-3, the latest in a series of satellites that tracks the rate of global sea-level rise and can help NOAA more accurately forecast the strength of tropical cyclones, is scheduled to launch next month. The U.S.-European partnership mission will lift off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on January 17 at approximately 10:42 a.m. PST from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
Like its predecessor missions, Jason-3 will use a radar altimeter instrument and fly in a low-Earth orbit, allowing it to monitor 95 percent of Earth’s ice-free oceans every 10 days. It's altimeter measurements will be used to monitor sea-level rise, as well as ocean conditions that trigger changes in the strength of tropical cyclones. Jason-3 data also will be used for other scientific, commercial and operational applications, including: forecasting tides and currents for commercial shipping and ship routing; coastal forecasting for response to environmental problems, including oil spills and harmful algal blooms; and coastal modeling, which is crucial for marine mammal and coral reef research.
For more information about the Jason-3, visit the mission's website, which includes a video overview, images, fact sheets and frequently asked questions.http://
No comments:
Post a Comment