WindSat (Satellite Based Wind Speed and Direction System) (original) (raw)

The Navy & Satellites - WindSat (Satellite Based Wind Speed and Direction System)
Purpose: To measure ocean surface wind speed and wind direction. Secondary measurements: sea surface temperature, soil moisture, rain rate, ice and snow characteristics, and water vapor. Launch vehicle: Titan II Satellite Deployed: January 7, 2003 Orbit: 98.7 degrees	WindSat was designed and built at the Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC.

Projected Capabilities: Spaceborne remote sensing of ocean surface wind vectors (speed and direction). Wind direction measurement with polarimetric instruments, which sense the polarity of light. How ocean surface physics change with wind and boundary layer conditions. Program Participants include: The Office of Naval Research, the Naval Research Laboratory, Titan Spacecraft Procurement Office Re-Entry: 3-year lifetime design
Ocean wind speed and direction affect a broad range of naval missions including ship movement and positioning, aircraft carrier operations, aircraft deployment, effective weapons use, underway replenishment, and littoral operations. WindSat will aid with forecasting short-term weather, issuing timely weather warnings, and gathering general climate data.

Projected Capabilities: Spaceborne remote sensing of ocean surface wind vectors (speed and direction). Wind direction measurement with polarimetric instruments, which sense the polarity of light. How ocean surface physics change with wind and boundary layer conditions. Program Participants include: The Office of Naval Research, the Naval Research Laboratory, Titan Spacecraft Procurement Office Re-Entry: 3-year lifetime design

Ocean wind speed and direction affect a broad range of naval missions including ship movement and positioning, aircraft carrier operations, aircraft deployment, effective weapons use, underway replenishment, and littoral operations. WindSat will aid with forecasting short-term weather, issuing timely weather warnings, and gathering general climate data.