SUMMARY

SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography) mission, is a joint project between ?? NASA and ?? CNES to observe and collect data on bodies of water around the globe. UKSA and CSA also contributed to the program. SWOT aims to conduct the first global study of water bodies, measuring the height of water in individual rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. The data it gathers will allow scientists to further study the effects of climate change on our planet. One of the objectives is to provide a stronger understanding of how seawater absorbs carbon and atmospheric heat. The satellite was assembled in Thales Alenia Space’s facility in France before being shipped to California. On December 16, the satellite was launched into space from the Vandenberg Space Force Base on a SpaceX #Falcon9. SWOT embodies the longstanding and very fruitful cooperation between CNES and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in space oceanography and altimetry for 40 years.