VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. -- VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. – Team Vandenberg launched an international mission led by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the French space agency Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES), the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle from Space Launch Complex 4-E here, Thursday, Dec. 16, at approximately 3:46 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.
United States Space Force Col. Robert Long was the launch decision authority.
“The SWOT mission has given Team Vandenberg another opportunity to provide support for an important payload that will provide high-resolution elevation measurements and further allowing NASA to almost completely observe the world’s ocean and freshwater bodies," said Col. Robert Long, Space Launch Delta 30 commander. "Our outstanding Airmen and Guardian professionals continue to showcase flawless execution and teamwork alongside NASA and SpaceX conducting safe launch and range operations to ensure a successful mission.”
U.S. and French oceanographers and hydrologist and international partners have joined forces to develop this satellite mission to make the first global survey of Earth’s surface water, observe the fine details of the ocean’s surface topography, and measure how water bodies change over time.
The SWOT mission is being jointly developed by NASA and CNES with contributions from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and UK Space Agency.
For additional questions regarding Vandenberg SFB range operations, contact Space Launch Delta 30 Public Affairs at (805) 606-3595 or SLD30.PA.Workflow@us.af.mil.