Satellite radar altimeters - Present and future oceanographic capabilitiesSatellite radar altimeters have the ability to provide information related to ocean wave heights, wind speed, and currents. The present investigation has the objective to demonstrate the current capabilities and to indicate ways to increase the information content of the altimeter return through the use of wider bandwidth, higher pulse repetition frequencies (PRF), and multibeam. Altimeters aboard Skylab, Geos-3, and Seasat-1 have provided investigators with valuable experience in translating the radar observables into oceanic parameters. Basically, an altimeter transmits a narrow pulse and measures the time interval until the return energy from the ocean surface is received. That direct measure of the satellite altitude can be interpreted in terms of surface topography. Attention is given to altimeter oceanographic measurements, altimeter return pulse characteristics, satellite pointing and surface slopes, the adaptive tracker for terrain mapping, and a multibeam altimeter.
Document ID
19820063960
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Townsend, W. F. (NASA Wallops Flight Center Wallops Island, VA, United States)
Mcgoogan, J. T. (NASA Wallops Flight Center Wallops Island, VA, United States)
Walsh, E. J. (NASA Wallops Flight Center Wallops Island, VA, United States)