Satellites of the HYDROSPHERE             

SeaStar	ERS- Scatterometer	Radarsat
Marine Observation Satellite-1 (MOS-1)		Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM)

                                                                                                        SeaStar

• Applications: The principal objective is to acquire data that are critical for the study of the role of oceans, including the exchange of critical elements and gases between the atmosphere and ocean, and how these exchanges affect phytoplankton production.  Data is also used to monitor sedimentation levels in the oceans and assessing the health of land-based vegetation on a global basis.

• Sensor Description: 

  Instrument Bands			Mission Characteristics
  Band	Wavelength		Orbit Type	Sun Synchronous at 705 km
  1	402-422 nm		Equator Crossing	Noon +20 min, descending
  2	433-453 nm		Orbital Period	99 minutes
  3	480-500 nm		Swath Width	2,801 km LAC/HRPT (58.3 degrees)
  4	500-520 nm		Swath Width	1,502 km GAC (45 degrees)
  5	545-565 nm		Spatial Resolution	1.1 km LAC, 4.5 km GAC
  6	660-680 nm		Real-Time Data Rate	665 kbps
  7	745-785 nm		Revisit Time	1 day
  8	845-885 nm		Digitization	10 bits

Table from SeaWifs Project Information Page

• Data Format and Availability: SeaWifs data is in Hierarchical Data Format (HDF) and is available from Orbimage for non-research purposes.  Orbimage refers to the SeaWifs data as OrbView-2 data.  For purposes defined as "research" data is available freely to registered users to become an authorized SeaWifs user click here.  If you are already an authorized SeaWifs user data can be obtained from the Goddard Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC).

• Notes: To process much of the SeaWifs Data the SeaWifs Data Analysis System (SeaDAS) is required software.  To obtain the software click here.

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ERS-Scatterometer

• Applications: The ERS Scatterometer is a Radar platform that has in the past been used primarily for the monitoring of soil moisture content.  One other application is the use of Scatterometer data in the determination of freeze/thawing cycles in the permafrost region of northern Canada.  Being a Radar platform the ERS Scatterometer is not limited to such applications it's uses have only been marginally explored.  Radar data of this type can also be used to measure atmospheric and vegetative moisture content.  ERS Scatterometer has the distinction of being the only operational source of global sea-surface wind speed and direction.

• Sensor Description: 

• Data Format and Availability:  Images can be obtained from the European Space Agency  or it's registered dealers (also available on this page)  Data from a dealer will come with an associated cost but free low bit rate fast delivery (LBR-FD) product is available directly from the ESA.  Transferring and reading this data requires special software that the ESA provides here.

• Notes: The successor of the ERS Scatterometer, the Advanced Scatterometer which will be launched on the METOP satellite in the year 2002 or 2003, will have a spatial resolution of about 25 km, and will achieve global coverage every two days.”  Images can be obtained at the European Space Agency (ESA) site and in most cases are provided free of charge.

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Radarsat

• Applications: Current projects utilizing Radarsat imagery include the monitoring of glacier motion, watershed geology in Jordan, snow mapping, agricultural monitoring, forestland management,  ice type identification, geologic mapping and flood monitoring. 

• Sensor Description: 

  Instrument Bands
  Radar C-Band	5.3ghz
  Mission Characteristics
  Orbit type	Sun-synchronous polar
  Swath Width	35km - 500km
  Spatial Resolution	10m - 100m
  Revist Time	24 days

• Data Format and Availability: Data are offered in several formats to suit user needs. These include Computer Compatible Tape (CCT), films, print, and Image Transfer Network (ITN). CD-ROM, 8 mm tape cartidges and WORM drives will be available as they become industry standards.  Data is available from a private agency called Radarsat International inc. Incorporated in 1989 specifically to collect and market Radarsat data this represents one source for Radarsat data at a cost.. However there is a sale going on right now.. (03-28-01).  Data can also be ordered directly from the Canadian Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS).

• Notes: The CCRS is planning on launching Radarsat 2 in 2003 which will have higher temporal resolution.

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Marine Observation Satellite-1 (MOS-1)

Marine Observation Satellite-1(MOS-1), "Momo-1" is the Japan's first Earth Observation Satellite developed applying domestic technologies as a part of Satellite Earth Observation Systems for contributing to effective utilization of Earth resources, environmental protection, etc.  MOS-series satellites revolve the Earth at an altitude of 909 km in 103 minutes always facing their observation equipment to the Earth. Each of them carries three sensors, Multispectral Electronic Self-Scanning Radiometer(MESSR), Visible and Thermal Infrared Radiometer(VTIR), and Microwave Scanning Radiometer(MSR), their observation data are acquired by overseas ground stations as well as our domestic data acquisition stations and utilized extensively.

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TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission)

• Applications: "...dedicated to quantitatively measuring tropical and subtropical rainfall which is one of the most important and least-known parameters affecting the global climate system."

• Data Access: Free downloads available to registered users at
  

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Last modified: March-2001 

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