NASA Set to Launch Ocean Monitoring Satellite

The mission is set to last three years to monitor rising sea levels and human impact on oceans among other goals.

Jason-3 is all set to be launched from California. (Photo: NASA)

NASA is scheduled to launch its new ocean-monitoring satellite -- Jason-3 -- from Vandenberg air force base in central California on Sunday, the space agency said.

The lift-off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg’s space launch complex is targeted for 10.42 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST) on Sunday. If needed, a backup launch opportunity is available on Monday, a NASA statement said.

Jason-3 data will be used for monitoring global sea level rise, researching human impacts on oceans, aiding prediction of hurricane intensity, and operational marine navigation.

The mission is planned to last at least three years, with a goal of five years.

<p>Jason-3 data also will benefit fisheries management, marine industries and research into human impacts on the world’s oceans. The mission is planned to last at least three years, with a goal of five years.</p>

<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/jason-3-satellite-prepared-for-launch">NASA Statement</a>

It is a four-agency international partnership of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NASA, the French space agency CNES (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales), and EUMETSAT (the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites).