Jason-3 Satellite Orbital Ephemeris and GPS Data

Jason-3 orbital information files include GPS-derived precise orbits, DORIS-based medium and precision ephemeris (MOE/POE), and Two-Line Element (TLE) sets. The data, produced by CNES for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), supports the satellite's mission from its 2015 launch to the present. These files are fundamental for determining the spacecraft's precise position and velocity.

Use Cases

• Compute precise satellite orbits using GPS receiver data in RINEX format for geolocating altimetry measurements.
• Determine satellite position and velocity for spatial indexing by processing Two-Line Element (TLE) files.
• Enhance ocean surface height accuracy by applying Precision Orbit Ephemeris (POE) data from the DORIS system.
• Calculate equator crossing longitude and time for each orbit to support spatial search functions within data systems.

Strengths

• Continuous temporal coverage from the satellite's 2015 launch to present.
• Includes multiple complementary orbit data types: GPS, DORIS (MOE/POE), and TLE.

Limitations

• Specific row counts, file sizes, and data volume metrics are unknown.
• Potential access restrictions are noted for the data collection.

Provenance

Source

CNES (French space agency) produced for NOAA NCEI (National Centers for Environmental Information).

Collection Method

Generated from the Jason-3 satellite's GPS receiver and DORIS tracking system.

Time Range

2015 to present

Freshness

null

Geography

Global, corresponding to the Jason-3 satellite's orbital path.