This video, created by NASA/JPL's PODAAC, illustrates the evolution of ocean altimetry satellite data beginning in 1978 with the first Earth orbiting ocean observing satellite, Seasat, and continuing with the Geosat, ERS-1,TOPEX/Poseidon, ERS-2, Jason-1, Envisat and Jason-2 missions. About half way through the video, we look to the future and simulated data for the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission scheduled to launch in 2020. The progression of improved data resolution in these NASA and partners altimetric missions is dramatic. SWOT will provide sea surface height and hydrography measurements at very high spatial and temporal resolutions unlike anything available to date.

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