A comparison of synthetic aperture radars applied for satellite remote sensing of the ocean surface

• Main Authors: Tilley, D.G., Sarma, Y.V.B.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 1993
• Subjects: synthetic aperture radar; satellites; remotw sensing; microwave imagery; oceanographic equipment; Josephine; Labrador Sea
• Online Access: http://drs.nio.org/drs/handle/2264/2902

Doppler imaging radars have orbited the earth aboard several spacecraft for the purpose of monitoring the ocean. Oceanographic applications of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) include measuring ocean wave fields, monitoring current fronts and sensing surface winds. The environmental interpretation of these remotely sensed ocean data is often restrictEd. by incomplete understanding of SAR systems' capabilities and limitations. Hence, in this paper, the radiometric properties and spatial resolution of several SAR systems are compared based upon image data in sheltered bays and reservoirs. The upper limits of SAR system resolution in high sea states are discussed relative to wind and wave measurements made near hurricane Josephine with NASA shuttle imaging radar (SIR-B) aboard the space shuttle Challenger. The wave imaging capabilities of two more recent SAR systems, aboard the European ERS-1 and Russian Almaz satellites, over the Labrador Sea are observed in relation to an emerging consensus on Doppler irnaging theory. The refraction and dispersion of surface gravity waves crossing the GuH Stream were investigatEd. by the NASA Seasat SAR in 1978 and again by the ERS-1 European SAR in 1991. Research results obtained during an international science and technology transfer project are presented as examples ol ocean remote sensing applications