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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Jason-3: Orbital Information, 2015-present (NCEI Accession 0122598)

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This collection contains Jason-3 orbital information files, produced by CNES for offline (IGDR, GDR) data production. For GPSP1, intermediate level-1 data files are in "RINEX" format and from the Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and are used to compute precise GPS orbits for the spacecraft. For TLE: Two Line Element files are used to determine the position and velocity of the satellite. Within CLASS, they will be used directly to determine each orbit's equator crossing longitude and time which subsequently are used to support spatial search. For MOE and POE, medium-precision and precision orbital ephemeris files are from the DORIS system.

These data may be may be subject to access restrictions.
  • Cite as: Lillibridge, John; NOAA Office of Satellite Data Processing and Distribution (2020). Jason-3: Orbital Information, 2015-present (NCEI Accession 0122598). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0122598. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0122598
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Distribution Formats
  • Originator data format
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
+1-301-713-3277
NCEI.Info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 2015-04-01 to Present
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180
East: 180
South: -66
North: 66
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Zhang, Yongsheng; US National Oceanographic Data Center (2020). OSTM/Jason-2 and Jason-3 Data Documentation Records (NCEI Accession 0118276). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0118276.
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2020-04-27
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
Supplemental Information
Jason-3 is the fourth mission in U.S.-European Joint Altimetry Satellite Oceanography Network series of satellite missions that measure the height of the ocean surface. The mission will extend the time series of ocean surface topography measurements begun by the TOPEX/Poseidon satellite mission in 1992 and continuing through the JASON-1 and OSTM/Jason-2 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.

TOPEX/Poseidon and JASON-1 were cooperative missions between NASA and the French space agency, CNES. Additional partners in the OSTM/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 primary instrument on Jason-3 is a radar altimeter. The altimeter measures 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).

The Jason-3 satellite was launched on 17 January 2016 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 launcher, and was placed into the same orbit as OSTM/Jason-2, at an altitude of 1,336 kilometers with an inclination of 66 degrees, to provide virtually blanket coverage of all ice-free ocean surfaces. The satellite went operational on 14 October 2016.
Purpose This dataset is available to the public for a wide variety of uses including scientific research and analysis.
Use Limitations
  • accessLevel: Public
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Platform keywords NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Lillibridge, John; NOAA Office of Satellite Data Processing and Distribution (2020). Jason-3: Orbital Information, 2015-present (NCEI Accession 0122598). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0122598. Accessed [date].
Access Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 2020-04-27T22:58:19Z - NCEI Accession 0122598 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • AMR
  • DORIS
  • LRA
  • Poseidon-3B
Platform
  • Jason-3
Last Modified: 2023-02-07T18:30:00Z
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