Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
When did OSTM launch?
June 20, 2008
Where is OSTM?
830 miles (1,336 km) from Earth
What does OSTM do?
The OSTM (Ocean Surface Topography Mission) on the Jason-2 satellite helps to measure ocean height by bouncing microwave pulses off of Earth and timing them. This allows scientists to keep an eye on sea level rise. OSTM also watches how the ocean stores and transports heat. OSTM helps us understand climate change and forecast hurricanes or other weather events.
Learn more about NASA’s OSTM.
