The Rather Large Spacecraft That Could

EARTH OBSERVATION

Illustration of the Topex/Poseidon spacecraft.

Greenbelt MD (SPX) Aug 10, 2005
Just like that fabled little engine, this tenacious spacecraft just won't give up! But in this case, the "I-think-I-can's" are whistling from the team of mission operations engineers and technicians who continue to work their magic.

Despite numerous technical and mechanical challenges, the NASA/French Space Agency Topex/Poseidon spacecraft continues to chug along, measuring the height of the world's oceans to the incredible accuracy of less than 4 centimeters (under 2 inches) and is still delivering more than 80-percent of the science data.

And it is in no immediate danger of 'giving up!' The operations team has been able to keep Topex/Poseidon operational by substituting redundant components or designing operational alternatives for each potential set-back.

Launched August 10, 1992, and jointly operated by NASA and the French space agency, CNES, Topex/Poseidon is beginning its fourteenth year of continuously recording sea surface height.

It has proven to be an invaluable tool for the science team and other researchers for observing ocean circulation, seasonal cycles, year-to-year global climate events, and decade-long changes in global mean sea level. And since the launch of its follow-on, Jason, in 2001, the two spacecraft have flown in tandem formation, delivering fundamentally new science results with twice the data coverage.

The tandem mission has provided unprecedented opportunities for researchers to study smaller-scale ocean phenomena such as coastal tides, ocean eddies and their effect on ocean general circulation, and improved understanding of low-frequency waves in the ocean that transmit the signals of climate change.

CLIMATE SCIENCE

El Nino And La Nina

Greenbelt MD (SPX) Jul 14, 2005
Phytoplankton are the base of the marine food chain, providing food for little sea animals called zooplankton, which in turn feed fish and other creatures. Any change in phytoplankton numbers alters the ocean food chain.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.