Ocean color measurement from high altitude

Investigations into the feasibility of sensing ocean color from high altitude for determination of chlorophyll and sediment distributions have been carried out using sensors on NASA aircraft, coordinated with surface measurements carried out by oceanographic vessels. Spectrometer measurements in 1971 and 1972 led to development of an imaging sensor now flying on a NASA U-2 and the Coastal Zone Color Scanner to fly on Nimbus G in 1978. Results of the U-2 effort have shown the imaging sensor to also be of great value in sensing pollutants in the ocean.