PROJECT : ENVISAT-Glider Missions

The ENVISAT-Glider Missions are designed as a technological challenge to synoptically combine ENVISAT Altimetry data (sea surface height) with Glider measurements.

This will provide a 3D coverage of the ocean; satellites can cover large areas very quickly, but can only see the surface of the ocean, whereas gliders can profile down to depths of 200 or 1000 meters, but can only cover small areas very slowly.

Scientific Objective

The mission is prepared to address two major scientific issues: (a) to test the feasibility of the gliders technology usage, in the frame of European project MERSEA (in collaboration with IFM-Geomar from Kiel and LPO from Brest), and (b) to validate altimetry data from ENVISAT satellite in the coastal area, since the glider trajectory is set beneath one segment of the satellite track, in the frame of ECOOP EC funded project.

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