Integrating wide-swath altimetry data into Level-4 multi-mission maps

<p>Real-time observation of ocean surface topography is essential for various oceanographic applications. Historically, these observations have mainly relied on satellite nadir altimetry data, which were limited to observation scales greater than approximately 60 km. However, the recent launch...

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Main Authors: M. Ballarotta, C. Ubelmann, V. Bellemin-Laponnaz, F. Le Guillou, G. Meda, C. Anadon, A. Laloue, A. Delepoulle, Y. Faugère, M.-I. Pujol, R. Fablet, G. Dibarboure
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2025-01-01
Series:Ocean Science
Online Access:https://os.copernicus.org/articles/21/63/2025/os-21-63-2025.pdf
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author M. Ballarotta
C. Ubelmann
V. Bellemin-Laponnaz
F. Le Guillou
G. Meda
C. Anadon
A. Laloue
A. Delepoulle
Y. Faugère
M.-I. Pujol
R. Fablet
G. Dibarboure
author_facet M. Ballarotta
C. Ubelmann
V. Bellemin-Laponnaz
F. Le Guillou
G. Meda
C. Anadon
A. Laloue
A. Delepoulle
Y. Faugère
M.-I. Pujol
R. Fablet
G. Dibarboure
author_sort M. Ballarotta
collection DOAJ
description <p>Real-time observation of ocean surface topography is essential for various oceanographic applications. Historically, these observations have mainly relied on satellite nadir altimetry data, which were limited to observation scales greater than approximately 60 km. However, the recent launch of the wide-swath Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission in December 2022 marks a significant advancement, enabling the two-dimensional global observation of finer-scale oceanic scales (<span class="inline-formula">∼</span> 15 km). While the direct analysis of the two-dimensional content of these swaths can provide valuable insights into ocean surface dynamics, integrating such data into mapping systems presents several challenges. This study focuses on integrating the SWOT mission into multi-mission mapping systems. Specifically, it examines the contribution of the SWOT mission to both the current nadir altimetry constellation (six/seven nadirs) and a reduced nadir altimetry constellation (three nadirs). Our study indicates that within the current nadir altimetry constellation, SWOT's impact is moderate, as existing nadir altimeters effectively constrain surface dynamics. However, in a hypothetical scenario where a reduced nadir altimetry constellation is envisioned to be operational by 2030, the significance of wide-swath data in mapping becomes more pronounced. Alternatively, we found that data-driven and dynamical mapping systems can significantly participate in refining the resolution of the multi-mission gridded products. Consequently, integrating high-resolution ocean surface topography observations with advanced mapping techniques can enhance the resolution of satellite-derived products, providing promising solutions for studying and monitoring sea-level variability at finer scales. However, to fully exploit SWOT's capabilities, future research will need to focus on innovations in data gridding and assimilation to extend mapping beyond geostrophically balanced flows.</p>
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spelling doaj-art-78df94219f0e48dfb9e8855d32f07d2c2025-01-15T10:16:12ZengCopernicus PublicationsOcean Science1812-07841812-07922025-01-0121638010.5194/os-21-63-2025Integrating wide-swath altimetry data into Level-4 multi-mission mapsM. Ballarotta0C. Ubelmann1V. Bellemin-Laponnaz2F. Le Guillou3G. Meda4C. Anadon5A. Laloue6A. Delepoulle7Y. Faugère8M.-I. Pujol9R. Fablet10G. Dibarboure11Collecte Localisation Satellites (CLS), Ramonville-Saint-Agne, FranceDatlas, Saint-Martin-d'Hères, FranceUniversité Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Grenoble, FranceEuropean Space Agency (ESA), Frascati, ItalyCollecte Localisation Satellites (CLS), Ramonville-Saint-Agne, FranceCollecte Localisation Satellites (CLS), Ramonville-Saint-Agne, FranceCollecte Localisation Satellites (CLS), Ramonville-Saint-Agne, FranceCollecte Localisation Satellites (CLS), Ramonville-Saint-Agne, FranceCentre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES), Toulouse, FranceCollecte Localisation Satellites (CLS), Ramonville-Saint-Agne, FranceIMT Atlantique, Plouzané, FranceCentre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES), Toulouse, France<p>Real-time observation of ocean surface topography is essential for various oceanographic applications. Historically, these observations have mainly relied on satellite nadir altimetry data, which were limited to observation scales greater than approximately 60 km. However, the recent launch of the wide-swath Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission in December 2022 marks a significant advancement, enabling the two-dimensional global observation of finer-scale oceanic scales (<span class="inline-formula">∼</span> 15 km). While the direct analysis of the two-dimensional content of these swaths can provide valuable insights into ocean surface dynamics, integrating such data into mapping systems presents several challenges. This study focuses on integrating the SWOT mission into multi-mission mapping systems. Specifically, it examines the contribution of the SWOT mission to both the current nadir altimetry constellation (six/seven nadirs) and a reduced nadir altimetry constellation (three nadirs). Our study indicates that within the current nadir altimetry constellation, SWOT's impact is moderate, as existing nadir altimeters effectively constrain surface dynamics. However, in a hypothetical scenario where a reduced nadir altimetry constellation is envisioned to be operational by 2030, the significance of wide-swath data in mapping becomes more pronounced. Alternatively, we found that data-driven and dynamical mapping systems can significantly participate in refining the resolution of the multi-mission gridded products. Consequently, integrating high-resolution ocean surface topography observations with advanced mapping techniques can enhance the resolution of satellite-derived products, providing promising solutions for studying and monitoring sea-level variability at finer scales. However, to fully exploit SWOT's capabilities, future research will need to focus on innovations in data gridding and assimilation to extend mapping beyond geostrophically balanced flows.</p>https://os.copernicus.org/articles/21/63/2025/os-21-63-2025.pdf
spellingShingle M. Ballarotta
C. Ubelmann
V. Bellemin-Laponnaz
F. Le Guillou
G. Meda
C. Anadon
A. Laloue
A. Delepoulle
Y. Faugère
M.-I. Pujol
R. Fablet
G. Dibarboure
Integrating wide-swath altimetry data into Level-4 multi-mission maps
Ocean Science
title Integrating wide-swath altimetry data into Level-4 multi-mission maps
title_full Integrating wide-swath altimetry data into Level-4 multi-mission maps
title_fullStr Integrating wide-swath altimetry data into Level-4 multi-mission maps
title_full_unstemmed Integrating wide-swath altimetry data into Level-4 multi-mission maps
title_short Integrating wide-swath altimetry data into Level-4 multi-mission maps
title_sort integrating wide swath altimetry data into level 4 multi mission maps
url https://os.copernicus.org/articles/21/63/2025/os-21-63-2025.pdf
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