Ocean Physics at NASA

NASA's Ocean Physics program directs multiple competitively-selected NASA Science Teams that study the physics of the Ocean.

News

SWOT Satellite Catches Coastal Flooding During California Storms

SWOT mission provides a new view of water on land, at the coast, and in the ocean.

NASA Analysis Confirms 2023 as Warmest Year on Record

Earth’s average surface temperature in 2023 was the warmest on record, according to an analysis by NASA.

SWOT Data: First Public Release

Some of the first data products from the Ka-Band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn) on the SWOT satellite are now publicly available.

SWOT’s Unprecedented View of Global Sea Levels

Data on sea surface heights around the world from the international SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography) mission yields a mesmerizing view of the planet’s ocean.

Sentinel-6MF Monitors How El Niño Is Shaping Up

Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich is the latest satellite that researchers are using to compare this year’s El Niño with those of the past.

flooded roadway by large coastal highway onramp (right) and various small buildings and parking on the coast side (left)

Strong El Niño Could Bring Extra Floods This Winter

Such high-tide flooding that inundates roads and buildings along the west coast of the Americas tends to be uncommon outside of El Niño years, but that could change by the 2030s.

A Wave Glider is recovered for maintenance.

SASSIE Data for You!

Find out about SASSIE (Salinity and Stratification at the Sea Ice Edge) data, how to access, tools, and more.

SWOT First Science Results Press Conference, September 21, 2023

SWOT Science Team Press Event

The science team discusses the first SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography) data and field calibration campaigns.

Science and Research

NASA’s Ocean Physics program directs multiple competitively-selected NASA’s Science Teams that study the physics of the oceans. Below are details about each science team.

Missions

The Ocean Physics program currently provides scientific leadership for the following operational missions. Past and future missions (to be) lead by the Ocean Physics program are also highlighted separately.

Operational

Currently taking measurements

Future

Upcoming missions

Non-Operational

Past missions providing data for current research

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QuikSCAT
1999-2018

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SPURS 1&2
2012-2013 & 2016-2017
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RapidScat
2014-2016
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Aquarius
2011-2015
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Jason-1
2001-2012
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Seasat
1978

Access the Data

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The Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center (PO.DAAC) preserves NASA's ocean and climate open data and makes these universally accessible and meaningful.

Partnerships

The Ocean Physics program actively engages in the following national and international partnerships that work together to sustain and enhance the Earth observing system.

Contacts

Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer
Lead, NASA Climate Variability and Change
Ocean Physics Program Manager
Contact | Bio

Jessica Hausman
Ocean Physics Support Scientist
Contact | Bio