spase://CNES/Observatory/CDPP-AMDA/JASON3

Jason-3 is the fourth mission in U.S.-European series of satellite missions that measure the
height of the ocean surface. Launched on January 17, 2016, the mission will extend the time series of
ocean surface topography measurements (the hills and valleys of the ocean surface) begun by the
TOPEX/Poseidon satellite mission in 1992 and continuing through the Jason-1 (launched in 2001) and
the currently operating OSTM/Jason-2 (launched in 2008) missions. These measurements provide scientists
with critical information about circulation patterns in the ocean and about both global and
regional changes in sea level and the climate implications of a warming world.

    The primary instrument on Jason-3 is a radar altimeter. The altimeter will measure sea-level 
    variations over the global ocean with very high accuracy (as 1.3 inches or 3.3 centimeters, with a 
    goal of achieving 1 inch or 2.5 centimeters). Continual, long-term, reliable data of changes 
    in ocean surface topography will be generated and will be used by scientists and operational 
    agencies (NOAA, European weather agencies, marine operators, etc.) for scientific research and operational 
    oceanography for the benefit of society.
    TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason-1 were cooperative missions between NASA and the French space agency, CNES. 
    Additional partners in the Jason-2 mission included NOAA and Eumetsat. Jason-3 continues the 
    international cooperation, with NOAA and Eumetsat leading the efforts, along with partners NASA and CNES.
    The mission objectives are:
    
    1) Provide continuity of high precision ocean topography measurements beyond TOPEX/Poseidon , 
    JASON-1 and JASON-2
    
    2) Provide an operational mission to enable the continuation of multi-decadal ocean topography measurements
    
    3) The science requirements call for a global sea surface height to an accuracy lower than 4 cm every 10 
    days for determining days, ocean circulation, climate change and sea level rise.