A satellite intended to collect information about the ocean’s topography successfully launched aboard a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base Saturday.
The Delta II rocket launched from Space Launch Complex-2 at 12:46 a.m. Saturday, carrying the OSTM/Jason-2 satellite into an 830-mile near-circular orbit.
Col. Steve Tanous, 30th Space Wing commander, was the spacelift commander for the mission.
“This launch is a testament to the tremendous team effort between NASA, the 30th Space Wing and our industry partners,” Tanous said in a statement.
“We have one opportunity to be successful with each launch and 100 percent mission success is our standard.”
The primary role of the spacecraft will be to measure and gather information about ocean topography. The OSTM/Jason-2 Satellite will provide new perspectives on Earth’s oceans using the five instruments it has aboard.
The Delta II is an expendable launch, medium-lift vehicle. It carries civil and commercial payloads into low-earth, polar, geosynchronous transfer and stationary orbits.
This article appears in Jun 26 – Jul 3, 2008.