Today, a NASA-French oceanography satellite with the name “Jason 2″ launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
The 3 year mission will help to provide a greater understanding of climate change, and the effect this has on the earths sea levels. There is also the possibility that the mission will be extended for an additional two years to collect a greater level of data for analysis.
The satellites’ main aim will be to help scientists better understand how climate change is related to ocean circulation, while also monitoring global sea levels.
Many fields of science will benefit from the data gathered by Jason 2, with the main been marine meteorology (for the forecasting of ocean conditions), seasonal forecasting, climate monitoring, and climate research.
Jason 2 was delivered into orbit via a Delta II rocket. A short time after launch, the Delta II rocket tilted towards the southeast, crossing the California coastline, heading up and out over the open Pacific Ocean towards space.
Over the next few days, the satellite will settle into it’s initial orbit, and instrument systems will be activated and checked out. Over the next month, the Jason 2 oceanography satellite will be maneuvered into its operational orbit.
Data is unlikely to be received from the satellite until 2 months into the mission, but is likely to provide scientists with a valuable boost to their understanding of climate change over the next few years.
