# Surface Water Ocean Topography > NASA and CNES water monitoring satellite **Wikidata**: [Q2372295](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2372295) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_Water_and_Ocean_Topography) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/surface-water-ocean-topography ## Summary Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) is an Earth observation satellite jointly developed by NASA and CNES to monitor global water levels. Launched in December 2022, the mission aims to conduct the first global survey of Earth's surface water. It operates in low Earth orbit and utilizes a Ka-band radar Interferometer to measure ocean and continental water topography. ## Key Facts * **Launch Date:** December 16, 2022 (launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5). * **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East. * **Operators:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES), Canadian Space Agency (CSA), and UK Space Agency. * **Manufacturer:** Thales Alenia Space. * **Mass:** Approximately 2,000 kilograms. * **Orbit:** Low Earth orbit. * **COSPAR ID:** 2022-173A. * **Primary Instrument:** Ka-band radar Interferometer. * **Official Name:** Mission de topographie des surfaces d'eau océaniques et continentales. ## FAQs ### Q: What is the primary purpose of the Surface Water Ocean Topography mission? A: SWOT is designed as a water monitoring satellite to observe Earth from orbit. Its goal is to perform a global survey of surface water, measuring the height of oceans and continental water bodies. ### Q: Who manufactured and operates the SWOT satellite? A: The satellite was manufactured by Thales Alenia Space. It is operated by a partnership including NASA (USA), CNES (France), the Canadian Space Agency, and the UK Space Agency. ### Q: What rocket launched the SWOT satellite? A: SWOT was launched by a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, provided by the launch contractor SpaceX. ## Why It Matters The Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission represents a significant advancement in Earth science, serving as the first satellite designed to conduct a truly global survey of the planet's surface water. By providing detailed measurements of water levels in oceans, lakes, and rivers, SWOT addresses critical gaps in our understanding of the global water cycle and climate change. This mission matters because it synthesizes the efforts of four major space agencies—NASA, CNES, the Canadian Space Agency, and the UK Space Agency—to achieve a shared scientific goal that no single nation could easily accomplish alone. The data gathered by the satellite's Ka-band radar Interferometer offers unprecedented detail on ocean circulation and terrestrial water storage. This information is vital for improving flood prediction, monitoring drought conditions, and managing water resources in a changing climate. Furthermore, the mission demonstrates the capabilities of modern aerospace manufacturing by Thales Alenia Space and launch proficiency by SpaceX, utilizing the Falcon 9 Block 5 to place the 2,000 kg satellite into a precise low Earth orbit. ## Notable For * **First Global Surface Water Survey:** Designated as the first satellite mission to conduct a global survey of Earth's surface water topography. * **Multi-Agency Collaboration:** A distinct partnership between NASA, CNES, the Canadian Space Agency, and the UK Space Agency. * **Advanced Instrumentation:** Utilizes the specialized Ka-band radar Interferometer (KaRIn) for high-resolution water measurement. * **Heavy Payload:** With a mass of approximately 2,000 kg, it is a substantial Earth observation platform. * **Specific Launch Configuration:** Launched from the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East, a site often used for polar and sun-synchronous orbits. ## Body ### Mission Development and Ownership The Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite is an Earth observation satellite developed through an international partnership. The mission is owned and operated primarily by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the French space agency, Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES). Additional contributions and operations support are provided by the Canadian Space Agency and the UK Space Agency. The spacecraft was manufactured by Thales Alenia Space. The official name of the mission is "mission de topographie des surfaces d'eau océaniques et continentales," reflecting its dual focus on both oceanic and continental water bodies. ### Technical Specifications * **Mass:** The satellite has a mass of approximately 2,000 kilograms. * **Orbit:** SWOT operates in a low Earth orbit. * **Instrumentation:** The primary scientific payload is the Ka-band radar Interferometer, designed to measure surface water height with high precision. ### Launch Details The satellite was successfully launched on **December 16, 2022**. * **Launch Vehicle:** Falcon 9 Block 5 (operated by SpaceX). * **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East. * **COSPAR ID:** 2022-173A. ### Identifiers and Resources * **Wikidata Description:** NASA and CNES water monitoring satellite. * **Official Website:** https://swot.jpl.nasa.gov/ * **Aliases:** SWOT, SWOT mission, Surface Water Ocean Topography Mission. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.vendeeglobe.org/article/le-vendee-globe-depuis-lespace-avec-cls) 2. [Source](https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/fra/satellites/swot/) 3. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/fy2021_congressional_justification.pdf) 4. Facebook 5. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-launch-services-for-global-surface-water-survey-mission) 6. [Source](https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/s/swot)