IMEDEA-SOCIB_FaSt-SWOT data and metadata

This data product contains Real-Time (RT) datasets from the two oceanographic campaigns of the FaSt-SWOT project (Fine-Scale ocean currents from integrated multi-platform experiments and numerical simulations: contribution to the new SWOT satellite mission), which were conducted in the Balearic Sea during spring 2023. The FaSt-SWOT experiments were designed to validate the first observations of the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite mission during its fast-sampling phase. The primary objective is to improve the characterization of oceanic fine scales (20-100 km), by integrating multi-platform in-situ observations, satellite observations, numerical models, and innovative computational techniques. The RT datasets integrate measurements from a unique set of in-situ platforms deployed during the two campaigns including data from two Slocum Gliders (owned and operated by SOCIB), data from a total of 40 surface drifters (20 HEREON and 20 CARTHE) and continuous observations from the SOCIB Research Vessel, including the thermosalinograph (sea surface temperature and salinity), weather station, CTD casts (to 500 m depth for FaSt-SWOT leg 1 and 700 m for FaSt-SWOT leg 2) and GPS positioning. All datasets have been standardized in netCDF format following the SOCIB convention and include the corresponding quality control procedures for each platform. This combined dataset aims to assess the actual capability of SWOT to map Sea Surface Height (SSH) variability across these fine-scale ranges in the Balearic Sea.
Keywords: FaSt-SWOT, SWOT satellite mission, Balearic Sea, gliders, drifters, research vessel, essential ocean variables, multi-platform in-situ observations.