OCEANOGRAPHIC CONSTELLATION MODELLING FOR FINE SCALE ALTIMETRY

摘要

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) has undertaken a number of studies to evaluate the feasibility ofusing a constellation of small satellites for both operational and scientific oceanographic applications. Themission concepts are based on the use of radar altimetry and the provision of oceanography data sets witha key requirement to address the need for improved re-visit times. The improved timeliness is provided bya constellation of satellites. The general aim of the mission concepts is to provide sea surface height,significant wave height and wind speed, and for the science applications to achieve accuraciesapproaching that of the existing high cost systems but with greater timeliness of data and at an affordableprice.This paper will present work recently initiated by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd and its partners underESA funding to address the need for better spatial and temporal coverage, than provided by the currentoperational missions, so that mesoscale variations and dynamic phenomena such as coastal waters canbe studied more closely.