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Marine Monitoring Satellites: Active Microwave Sensors - altimeter, SAR, scatterometer
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Satellite
Radarsat
Alos/Daichi
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 sensors that are functional as of May 2006 and for which imagery is readily available. A link is provided to the home page of non-commercial satellites.

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. Please Contact Us if you observe any errors or omissions in the table.