SEA ICE INVESTIGATIONS FROM SEASAT TO THE PRESENT, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON ICE MOTION: WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED AND WHAT AWAITS

• Main Authors: Benjamin Holt, Ron Kwok
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Sea ice
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.546.2975; http://trs-new.jpl.nasa.gov/dspace/bitstream/2014/37935/1/04-0073.pdf

NASA launched Seasat in June 1978 carrying a remarkable array of microwave instruments designed to observe the global oceans, including an active microwave altimeter, scatterometer, and SAR along with a passive microwave radiometer. While the satellite mission ended abruptly in mid-October 1978 after only about 100 days of operation, a unique and comprehensive view of the oceans was obtained that clearly showed the extraordinary scientific value of the instruments by improving the knowledge of the Oceans circulation, wind and wave field, and characterization of key aspects of the cryosphere. Aside from optical and thermal sensor data, this data set from 25 years ago essentially set the stage, providing a legacy if you will, for most of the major dedicated Ocean satellite missions that have taken place since and are planned for the near future.