Location

Holiday Inn, Manatee Rooms A & B

Start Date

25-4-1995 2:00 PM

End Date

25-4-1995 5:00 PM

Description

On August 10,1992, the United State and France launched their joint TQPEX/POSEIDON (abbreviated as T/P hereafter) satellite for making altimetric observations of the sea surface [3]. This is the first satellite altimetry system specifically designed for studying the circulation of the global oceans. The spacecraft is operating in an orbit which repeats its underlying ground-track every 10 days. Results to date show that the mission is producing observations of the global sea surface elevation with an unprecedented accuracy of 5 cm everywhere, and much better in some places. This precise knowledge of the shape of the sea surface is directly related to the dynamical processes governing ocean currents throughout the entire water column and provides oceanographers with the first true global observation system. Designed for a lifetime of 3-5 years, the satellite is providing the ability to describe and understand the dynamics of ocean circulation and its time variability with sampling adequate to understand its climatic consequences.

Comments

Nurturing Our Environment

Session Chairman: William F. Townsend, Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Mission to Planet Earth, NASA Headquarters

Session Organizer: Vanessa Stromer

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Apr 25th, 2:00 PM Apr 25th, 5:00 PM

Paper Session I-C - The Ocean and Climate: Results from the TOPEX/ POSEIDON Mission

Holiday Inn, Manatee Rooms A & B

On August 10,1992, the United State and France launched their joint TQPEX/POSEIDON (abbreviated as T/P hereafter) satellite for making altimetric observations of the sea surface [3]. This is the first satellite altimetry system specifically designed for studying the circulation of the global oceans. The spacecraft is operating in an orbit which repeats its underlying ground-track every 10 days. Results to date show that the mission is producing observations of the global sea surface elevation with an unprecedented accuracy of 5 cm everywhere, and much better in some places. This precise knowledge of the shape of the sea surface is directly related to the dynamical processes governing ocean currents throughout the entire water column and provides oceanographers with the first true global observation system. Designed for a lifetime of 3-5 years, the satellite is providing the ability to describe and understand the dynamics of ocean circulation and its time variability with sampling adequate to understand its climatic consequences.

 

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