Ocean Physics at NASA
About
The ocean plays a fundamental role in the Earth’s system. It shapes our planet’s climate and weather by absorbing, storing, and transporting large quantities of heat, water, moisture, and carbon dioxide. NASA’s Physical Oceanography (PO) program enables research that advances our understanding of the ocean’s role in climate. Our scientists utilize NASA satellite and sub-orbital data, climate models and data science to study ocean dynamics, sea level rise, hydrological cycle, and ocean interactions within the Earth system.
To join us and become a NASA scientist, apply to one of current NASA research opportunities.
News
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.
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.
SASSIE Data for You!
Find out about SASSIE (Salinity and Stratification at the Sea Ice Edge) data, how to access, tools, and more.
SWOT Science Team Press Event
The science team discusses the first SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography) data and field calibration campaigns.
Interagency Field Project Returns from Sea
NOPP Global Internal Waves campaign redeploys mooring as part of SWOT validation.
SWOT Satellite Monitors Warming Ocean off California Coast
SWOT can observe warming, such as from El Nino, closer to the coast than any previous satellite mission.
Making Waves in Open Science: NASA Initiatives Enable Ocean Research
NASA open science is working towards making ocean research and data more accessible, ECCO is an excellent example of this.
Science and Research
NASA’s Physical Oceanography program directs multiple competitively-selected NASA’s Science Teams that study the physics of the oceans. Below are details about each science team.
Missions
PO program provides scientific leadership on the following missions:
Operational
Currently taking measurements
Future
Upcoming missions
Non-Operational
Past missions providing data for current research
Access the Data
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
PO program actively engages in the following national and international partnerships that work together to sustain and enhance the Earth observing system.
 NASA-ESA Earth Science Joint Program Planning Group NASA-ESA Satellite and In situ Salinity Working Group |
