Latest Water Satellite Unfolds Itself in Space (Video)

Rendering of the SWOT satellite (Photo – jpl.nasa.gov)

Cameras on the Surface Water and Ocean Topography spacecraft captured images of the antennas unfurling in orbit.

The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite launched into Earth orbit on Friday, Dec. 16, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in central California.  Now, engineers are working to prepare the mission to begin measuring the height of water on over 90% of Earth’s surface. The satellite will provide a high-definition survey of our planet’s water for the first time.

The solar arrays fully deployed shortly after launch, taking about 10 minutes.  The mission monitors and controls the satellite using telemetry data, but it also equipped the spacecraft with four customized commercial cameras to record the action.

The data SWOT provides will help researchers and decision-makers address some of the most pressing climate questions of our time and help communities prepare for a warming world.

Source: NASA/JPL