JASON-1 (26997)

COSPAR: 2001-055A | Alt Name: Jason

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

December 7, 2001

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC2W

Launch Vehicle

Delta 7920-10

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

26997

International Designator

2001-055A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:53:32 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

66.04°

Right Ascension

38.49°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

277.33°

Period

112.14 min

Mean Motion

12.84 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot

3D Visualization

Basic Satellite Info

Name

JASON-1

Alternative Name

Jason

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

CNES/JPL

Country

France

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 26997U 01055A   26185.03718544 -.00000010  00000-0  21549-3 0  9994

2 26997  66.0403  38.4931 0008706 277.3306 247.1214 12.84088659150795

Source: Celestrak

Summary

JASON-1, also known as Jason, is an altimetry and radar satellite operated by CNES/JPL. Launched on December 7, 2001, from AFWTR SLC2W using a Delta 7920-10 launch vehicle, the spacecraft has a Proteus Bus configuration manufactured by ALC. It measures 3.3 meters in length and 1.9 meters in diameter with a span of 6 meters, weighing 500 kilograms at launch and 472 kilograms dry. Equipped with JMR, TRSR, LRA, Poseidon-2, and DORIS equipment, the satellite uses two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power. Its mission lifespan exceeded its projected 3-year lifetime to achieve 11.5 years of operation. The shape is described as a box with two panels and has a radar cross-section (RCS) of 3.2688 square meters, used for altimetry and radar purposes.

Physical Characteristics

Length

3.3

Diameter

1.9

Span

Dry Mass

472

Launch Mass

500

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

3.2688

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Jason

Purpose

Altimetry, Radar

Mission

Altimetry, Radar

Manufacturer

ALC

Life Expectancy

3 years; 11.5 years (achieved)

Bus

Proteus

Configuration

Proteus Bus

Motor

AOCS

Equipment

JMR, TRSR, LRA, Poseidon-2, DORIS

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map

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Latitude

Longitude

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Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)

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