This report has been prepared for SCOR as a reasonably authoritative, yet concise publication of requirements, capabilities and present plans for acquiring and using ocean data from satellites. The various requirements for ocean data that can be addressed by satellites, and the capabilities of the different sensors, are considered in the first two sections. Examples of satellite data are shown in pictures and diagrams, and results are summarized, as far possible, in tables.The basic properties of satellites, their special advantages, as well as their draw-backs, are discussed. The importance of this new technology to developing countries is also considered, and the authors make a series of recommendations for improving the value of future missions by coordinating satellite programmes, improving data processing and distribution, and training personnel. |
