KSC-08pd1665
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Engineers check the fit of the Ocean Surface Topography Mission, or OSTM/Jason 2, spacecraft as it is lowered onto the payload attach fitting, or PAF, for installation. The PAF is the interface with the Delta II launch vehicle. The launch of the OSTM/Jason 2 aboard a Delta II rocket is scheduled for Friday, June 20, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The launch window extends from 12:46 a.m. to 12:55 a.m. PDT. The satellite will be placed in an 830-mile-high orbit at an inclination of 66 degrees after separating from the Delta II 55 minutes after liftoff. The five primary science instruments of the Ocean Surface Topography Mission aboard the Jason 2 spacecraft are dedicated to measuring ocean surface height. These measurements will be used to evaluate and forecast climate changes and improve weather forecasting. The results also are expected to help forecasters better predict hurricane intensity. Photo credit: NASA
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Details
NASA ID
KSC-08pd1665
Date Created
May 28, 2008
Center
KSC
Media Type
image
Location
Vandenberg AFB, CA
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