The SWOT Science Simulator simulates projected SWOT altimetry observations that can be applied to an ocean general circulation model, allowing the exploration of ideas and methods to optimize information retrieval from the proposed SWOT Mission, which is currently baselined to launch in 2020.

(Left) Sea surface height from an ocean general circulation model interpolated on the SWOT grid. (Center) Random realization of the total SWOT noise with the default parameters of the software. (Right) Observed sea surface height (sum of left and center).
From sea surface height (SSH) inputs, the software samples SWOT-like outputs on a swath along the orbit ground track, and adds noise signals. The noise signals represent instrument and geophysical errors, generated randomly following technical characteristics provided by the SWOT project team, and the knowledge of geophysical parameters. Not designed to directly simulate the anticipated payload instrument responses, this SWOT science simulator aims to provide statistically realistic outputs for the science community in an open-source and lightweight tool. The software is scalable and designed to support future refinements of orbital parameters, error budget estimations from the project team, and suggestions from the science community.

This work was done by Clement F. Ubelmann of Caltech and Lucile M. Gaultier for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Dan Broderick at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Refer to NPO-49608.

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This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
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Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) Science Simulator

(reference NPO49608) is currently available for download from the TSP library.

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NASA Tech Briefs Magazine

This article first appeared in the November, 2015 issue of NASA Tech Briefs Magazine (Vol. 39 No. 11).

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Overview

The document is a Technical Support Package for the Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) Science Simulator, developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). It outlines the capabilities and functionalities of the SWOT simulator, which is designed to simulate projected observations of sea surface height (SSH) for ocean general circulation models (OGCMs). The primary goal of the software is to optimize information retrieval from the upcoming SWOT mission, which aims to enhance our understanding of ocean dynamics.

The SWOT simulator generates SSH outputs based on inputs from OGCMs, producing data along a 120 km wide swath at a resolution of approximately 1 km. The software incorporates measurement errors and noise reflective of the technical specifications provided by the SWOT project team. While it does not directly simulate the performance of the payload instrument, it aims to deliver statistically realistic outputs that can be utilized by the scientific community. The software is open-source and written in Python, making it accessible for further development and adaptation.

The document also highlights the scalability of the simulator, which is designed to accommodate future changes in orbital parameters and error budget estimates, as well as suggestions from the scientific community. An example of the simulator's output is illustrated, showing a 5-day simulation of SSH data in a global configuration.

Additionally, the document includes references to relevant research and technical documents that provide further context and background on the SWOT project and its objectives. It emphasizes the importance of the SWOT mission in advancing oceanographic research and understanding sea surface dynamics, which are critical for climate studies and resource management.

Overall, the Technical Support Package serves as a comprehensive guide to the SWOT Science Simulator, detailing its purpose, functionality, and significance in the field of ocean science. It is a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners interested in utilizing the simulator for their studies and contributing to the ongoing development of ocean observation technologies.