The experimental oceanographic satellite Seasat-A

Abstract

The experimental Seasat-A satellite, scheduled for launch in 1978, is designed to provide measurements of sea-surface temperature, surface wind speed and direction, sea state and directional wave spectra. The instrument package of the satellite includes a highly precise radar altimeter, a wind-field scatterometer, a synthetic-aperture imaging radar, a scanning multifrequency microwave radiometer and a radiometer operating in the visual and infrared. Tides, currents and storm surges on the marine geoid may be monitored through analysis of range information from the radar altimeter and a satellite ephemeris; sea-ice reconnaissance is also planned.