The Ocean Surface Topography Mission spacecraft is moved to Space Launch Complex 2 for mating with its Delta II launch vehicle.

Inside its shipping container, the Ocean Surface Topography Mission, or OSTM/Jason 2, spacecraft is moved to Space Launch Complex 2 for mating with its Delta II launch vehicle. The launch is scheduled for June 20 from Vandenberg Air Force Base. The launch window extends from 12:46 a.m. to 12:55 a.m. PDT. The satellite will be placed in an 830-mile-high orbit at an inclination of 66 degrees after separating from the Delta II 55 minutes after liftoff. The five primary science instruments of the Ocean Surface Topography Mission aboard the Jason 2 spacecraft are dedicated to measuring the height of the ocean surface. These measurements will be used to evaluate and forecast climate changes and improve weather forecasting. The results also are expected to help forecasters better predict hurricane intensity.