The Franco-US Jason-2 oceanography spacecraft which was operated by the French Space Agency CNES has now been retired from scientific operations, having exceeded its minimum three-year design life by over eight years. Launched in June 2008, the Jason-2 spacecraft – which also known as the Ocean Surface Topography Mission – was used to measure sea levels around the world including a sea level rise of four centimetres during its lifetime. Having suffered a significant depletion of fuel reserves during 2017, and having been formally replaced by Jason-3 in 2016, the final nail in the coffin for the Jason-2 spacecraft was when its power started to significantly degrade and the decision was taken to end the mission on 1 October 2019. The spacecraft will be fully-safed and switched off on 20 October.
Artist’s impression of Jason-2 spacecraft. Courtesy: NASA/JPL-Caltech
