The SWOT mission is actually a collaboration between NASA and the French Space Agency (called CNES), with contributions from the UK and Canadian Space Agencies. This is therefore very much a collaboration with international partners.

NASA, and other space agencies, already have multiple satellites that look at various components of Earth's freshwater. For example: soil moisture (SMAP), rain (GPM), snow cover (Terra/Aqua), elevation of the largest lakes and reservoirs (Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich), and extent of lakes and reservoirs (Landsat, Sentinel 1, Sentinel 2).

What makes SWOT so special for Earth's freshwater reserves is that it will measure the elevation of water and the extent of water bodies at the same time. And it will do so for many more rivers, lakes, reservoirs and wetlands than we've ever seen before. That means we'll know where the water is and where it's going like we've never known before. SWOT will also see the Earth's saltwater (like the oceans) in a much more detailed way than we've ever done before, and that will help us to understand ocean currents.

If we could speak with turtles, we'd tell them how to use this knowledge for a quick ride back to Hawaii, but I think they've already figured this one out! (CD)