OSTM / Jason-2 - Prepare to Launch. (6-20-08)

Surveying Earth's Oceans - Spacecraft_Prepare to Launch

This animation shows the OSTM / Jason-2 spacecraft flying over the Gulf of Mexico using its Global Positioning System.
The Ocean Surface Topography Mission will begin with the thundering liftoff of a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket will loft the Jason-2 spacecraft and its OSTM instruments into an orbit that will let the satellite scan 95 percent of the world's ice-free oceans.

The Delta II provided by the United Launch Alliance is going through final assembly and checkout procedures at the NASA launch site while the spacecraft goes through its own inspections at Vandenberg. The spacecraft will be hoisted to the top of the Delta II rocket for its flight into orbit.

Credit:JPL

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• NASA
• SPACECRAFT
• LAUNCH
• US-FORCE
• DELTA
• ROCKET
• aviation
• space
• electronics
• environment