Jason-3 satellite launch, January 2016. SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket being prepared for the launch of the Jason-3 satellite at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 4 East, California, USA. This satellite, launched on 16 January 2016, is a joint mission between NASA and NOAA in the USA, and CNES and EUMETSAT in Europe. It is carrying out the Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM) using instruments such as a radar altimeter to map ocean surface topography. This allows global monitoring of tides, ocean currents and oscillations, ocean circulation, and climate change-induced rises in sea levels. Photographed on 16 January 2016.