NASA Jason-3 Sea Level Rise Reconnaissance Satellite Successfully Blasts off on SpaceX Falcon 9; Hard Landing on Barge

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched the NASA/NOAA/European Jason-3 sea level rise reconnaissance satellite a short while ago today, Sunday, Jan. 17, from Vandenberg Air Force Base into a polar orbit around the Earth. The launch was a complete success with all first and second stage rocket firings and the Jason-3 deployment occurring precisely as planned and on time. The Jason-3 spacecraft was delivered successfully into its intended polar orbit. Despite being obscured by heavy coastal...