Jason-2 continues the high-accuracy altimetric data collection done by the Topex/Poseidon and Jason-1 satellites and provides a transition into operational satellite altimetry.

Jason-2 Significant Wave Height map

Three different data products are produced and distributed to the users:

• The Operational Geophysical Data Record (OGDR) produced in near real time
• The Interim Geophysical Data Record (IGDR) produced in 1 to 1.5 days
• The Geophysical Data Record (GDR) produced in 60 days

The Operational Geophysical Data Record (OGDR) is a new, real-time operational product specially developed for the Jason-2 mission. The OGDR will be the faster product delivered to the users, with a short delay of 3 - 5 hours. The product takes advantage of the DORIS navigator and of the on-board processing capabilities to provide geophysical data. The main geophysical variables in the OGDR product are: time, location, significant wave height, wind speed and the Sea Surface Height Anomaly derived from a very accurate rapid orbit.

Important processing variables are also included in the product. These are: backscatter coefficients, water vapour correction, altimeter ranges, orbit data (altitude), geophysical corrections and geophysical references. Finally, the OGDR product will also contain quality information derived from on-board data to help users editing the data. This product is essentially dedicated to marine meteorology applications. The primary purpose is to provide in near real-time data to meteorological organisations carrying out Nowcasting and operational wave forecasting, but it will also make data on sea surface height anomalies available for ocean users.

The OGDR will be processed at the EUMETSAT and NOAA ground centres and disseminated over the EUMETCast satellite broadcasting system as well as via data networks and the NOAA Global Telecommunication System network. Key user organisations include ECMWF, Météo-France, NOAA, Met Office (UK) and Met.no, the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, where significant wave heights are assimilated in their operational wave models. Several operational wave models are coupled to the global and regional Numerical Weather Prediction models to provide a wave spectrum based surface roughness for ocean surface flux calculations. Altimeter wind speeds are used for validation.

Off-line Services
	The Interim Geophysical Data Record (IGDR) This service provides sea surface data which is produced within 1-1.5 days of being recorded. This record includes analysed data on sea surface height, absolute dynamic topography and ocean geostrophic velocities for medium-range weather forecasting, seasonal forecasting and ocean weather applications. Key user communities include ECMWF, GMAO-NOAA, AOML-NOAA, MERSEA (EU), the Danish Meteorological Institute and Dutch clients for storm surge modelling. Sea level anomalies are assimilated in seasonal forecast systems and for validation of mesoscale variability. AOML-NOAA produces the Tropical Cyclone Heat Potential (TCHP) product, used for Cyclone intensity monitoring.
	The Geophysical Data Record (GDR) This service provides fully-validated data produced within three to four weeks of the events being recorded and covers sea surface height, principally for climate monitoring and climate modelling. The main users of this product are within the climate research community, for climate model verifications, for routine sea level station validation, and for the International Panel for Climate Change Assessment Report on rising sea levels.
Off-line services are procured by CNES and NOAA.