Satellite
Radarsat
Envisat
Sensor
altimeter
altimeter
altimeter
SAR
SAR
Palsar
Seawinds
scatterometer
Type
R&D
Mil
R&D
Com
Com

R&D

Met
R&D
REA compatible
no
no
no
no
no
no
yes
no
Revisit time (days)
10
17
35
~3 to ~5
~3 to ~5
45
~1-2
~4
Near-real time
no
no
no
yes
yes
no
yes
no
Spatial resolution (m)
-
-
-
10 to 100
30 to 1000
10 to 100
25 km
25 km
Country or Agency
France/USA
USA
ESA
Canada
ESA
Japan
USA
ESA
Coastal Flooding
yes
yes
yes
Currents (geostrophic)
yes
yes
yes
Eddies (mesoscale)
yes
yes
yes
Limited
Limited

Limited

Ice
Limited
Limited
Limited
yes
yes
yes
Limited
Limited
Internal Waves
Limited
Limited
Limited
Ships
yes
yes
yes
Slicks
yes
yes
yes
Waves (surface)
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Wind (vectors)
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
yes
yes

1. The table includes polar-orbiting, multispectral sensors that are functional as of May 2006 and for which imagery is readily available. Listed sensors are designed primarily for terrestrial applications, but have coastal applications.
2. A "yes" in an applications row means the application is reasonably well founded. A "limited" means the sensor is not optimal for this application but merits consideration.
3. REA compatible sensors are considered by OEA Technologies to be useful for Rapid Environmental Assessment. They have an effective revisit time at mid-latitudes that is at least daily and deliver data in near-real time.
4. Revisit time refers to either the satellite's orbit recycle time or the sensor's effective revisit time (identified with a "~") at mid-latitudes. Revisit time varies with latitude and sensor configuration, and certain programs have a constellation of satellites.
5. Near-real time satellite programs deliver data to the user within two hours of satellite overpass.
6. Type: (Com)mercial, (Met)eorology, (Mil)itary, (R&D) research & development. Imagery produced from commercial satellite sensors must be purchased. R&D satellites are usually owned by space agencies and the imagery is available free-of-charge. Meteorology and Military satellites are owned by public agencies and meet prescribed operational requirements.
7. Errors: If you observe any errors or omissions in the table please Contact Us.