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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

OSTM/Jason-2 Data Collection, 2008 to 2019 (NCEI Accession 0118277)

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The Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM)/Jason-2 data collection includes: Level-2 Geophysical Data Records (GDRs), Ancillary Files, Auxiliary Files, Near Real-Time Altimetry Validation System (NRTAVS) QA Reports, Orbital Information, and Telemetry.

The level-2 X-GDR are available as 3 datatypes - Operational Geophysical Data Records (OGDR), Interim Geophysical Data Records (IGDR) and final Geophysical Data Records (GDR). The OGDRs are near-real-time records and are generated every 3-5 hours. They are based on orbits from DORIS propagator and forecast meteorological fields for the geophysical corrections. The IGDRs are based on preliminary DORIS ephemeris, analyzed meteorological grids, and preliminary auxiliary data files. The IGDRs have a latency of 1 - 2 days. The S-IGDR is a superset of the IGDR, containing the original radar echo waveform data. The GDRs are based on final high-precision DORIS (perhaps combined with GPS) ephemeris, final meteorological grids, ancillary and auxiliary data files. The S-GDR is a superset of the GDR, containing the waveform data. The S-GDRs are generated every 10 days. Sea Surface Height Anomaly (SSHA) files are available for IGDR and GDR. All files are available in NetCDF format and the OGDRs are also available in BUFR format.

Ancillary data files are used to generate Level-2 products. They include both static tabular data files and dynamic files which change/grow over time. They are mission specific files used in the production of Level-2 products. All Ancillary data were made unrestricted on 15 December, 2008.

Orbital files are produced by CNES for offline (IGDR, GDR) data production. For GPSP1, intermediate level-1 data files are in RINEX format and from the Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and are used to compute precise GPS orbits for the spacecraft. For TLE - Two Line Element files are used to determine the position and velocity of the satellite. For MOE and POE, medium-precision and precision orbital ephemeris files are from the DORIS system. All Orbital Information data were made unrestricted on 15 December, 2008.

Auxiliary data files are used to generate Level-2 products. They include both static tabular data files and dynamic files which change/grow over time. Auxiliary files are produced outside of OSTM but are used in the production of Level-2 products. Auxiliary data, which are produced by the European Center for Medium range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF), are restricted by ECMWF to the OSTM/Jason-2 project team.

The telemetry dataset consists of raw Level-0 telemetry data from the OSTM/Jason-2 spacecraft. There are three datatypes available: Housekeeping Telemetry - Recorded (HKTM-R) is stored on the spacecraft for later downlink; Payload Telemetry 1 (PLTM-1) is the payload science data from the core-mission payloads - Poseidon-3, DORIS, AMR, and GPSP; and Payload Telemetry 2 (PLTM-2) is the payload science data from the passenger mission of opportunity payloads: CARMEN-2, L2T2 and LPT. They are available as CCSDS packet files. All telemetry data are restricted to the project team, per the mission's 4-partner Memorandum of Understanding.

Quality reports are from the Near Real-Time Altimetry Validation System. Reports are daily and cover the previous 10-day period.
  • Cite as: Lillibridge, John; NOAA Office of Satellite Data Processing and Distribution (2020). OSTM/Jason-2 Data Collection, 2008 to 2019 (NCEI Accession 0118277). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0118277. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0118277
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Distribution Formats
  • Originator data format
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
+1-301-713-3277
NCEI.Info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 2008-06-20 to 2019-10-01
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180
East: 180
South: -66
North: 66
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • OSTM/Jason-2 and Jason-3 Documentation and Data Documentation Records, 2008 to present
    • NCEI Collection
      Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download.
  • Zhang, Yongsheng; US National Oceanographic Data Center (2020). OSTM/Jason-2 and Jason-3 Data Documentation Records (NCEI Accession 0118276). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0118276.
  • Parent ID (indicates this dataset is related to other data):
    • gov.noaa.nodc:OSTM-Jason2-3-Docs
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2020-04-27
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
Supplemental Information
OSTM/Jason-2 was a follow-on mission continuing the TOPEX/Poseidon and JASON-1 missions, and was designed to ensure continuity of high quality measurements for ocean science and to provide operational products for assimilation and forecasting applications. The OSTM/Jason-2 satellite was launched on 20 June 2008 and reached its nominal repetitive orbit on 4 July 2008. After more than 11 years in orbit and well beyond its three- to five-year mission baseline, the Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM) on Jason-2 permanently ceased acquisition of scientific data at 06:48 UTC on 1 October 2019 due to aging-related issues onboard the spacecraft.
Purpose This dataset is available to the public for a wide variety of uses including scientific research and analysis.
Use Limitations
  • accessLevel: Public
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Lillibridge, John; NOAA Office of Satellite Data Processing and Distribution (2020). OSTM/Jason-2 Data Collection, 2008 to 2019 (NCEI Accession 0118277). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0118277. Accessed [date].
Access Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 2020-04-27T22:24:18Z - NCEI Accession 0118277 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • DORIS
  • GPSP
  • LRA
  • Poseidon-3 altimeter
  • satellite sensor - altimeter
  • satellite sensor - general
Last Modified: 2023-02-07T18:22:04Z
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