Artist's Concept of U.S.-European Jason-3 Ocean Altimetry Satellite

Artist's concept of the U.S./European Jason-3 spacecraft over the California coast. Jason-3 will precisely measure the height of the ocean surface, allowing scientists to monitor ocean circulation and sea level and enabling more accurate weather, ocean and climate forecasts. It will extend the long-term data set established by the Topex/Poseidon, Jason-1 and Jason-2 satellite altimetry missions. The latter two spacecraft are still in operation.

Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech