The monitoring firm of Europe’s meteorological satellites, Eumetsat, has confirmed that they are committed to ensuring that the next sea monitoring spacecraft, Jason-3, will be built. Used by weather forecasters, climatologists and oceanographers, the Jason series has been invaluable in monitoring rising sea levels.
Surface elevation is important for a large number of reasons and allows scientists important insights into data such as salinity and temperature. Combining with other important data such as gravity, speed and direction of water bodies can also be plotted. Of particular importance is the El Nino phenomenon which is currently seeing a shift in water warmth across the Pacific Ocean. The Jason-3 will be just a small part of the ongoing bid by the European Space Agency, Eumetsat and the EU to obtain “essential climate variables” from space.
Providing the second largest amount of funding for the Eumetsat share, the UK’s Lord Drayson, science minister said “The UK contribution is vital to the future of the Jason series and the crucial data it provides on sea-surface height across the globe, and we are committed to the Jason-3 satellite. These measurements are critical to monitoring the effects of climate change and to safe exploitation of the marine environment. The government is determined to ensure the programme continues to deliver these to researchers for years to come as we strive to tackle global warming.”
The decision by Eumetsat ensures that the 18 year monitoring project will continue well into the next decade. Confirming that they will pay their 25per cent stake in the project, it now falls to France and the US to provide their shares which will allow the launch of the Jason-3 in 2013.
