Jason-3 Successfully Reaches Orbit

NASA and industry managers celebrate as the Jason-3 satellite separates from its Falcon 9 upper stage minutes after liftoff. The spacecraft will begin a mission to help provide scientists with essential information about global and regional changes in the seas. Built by Thales Alenia of France, Jason-3 will measure the topography of the ocean surface for a four-agency international partnership consisting of NOAA, NASA, Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales, France’s space agency, and the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites.

Photo credit: NASA