mary, and two engineering studies of alternative technical approaches 

 to meet the performance requirements; 



(3) An in-depth study of optimum utilization of the six high-fre- 

 quency radio bands available for oceanographic use, and telemetry 

 propagation reliability from potential buoy locations; 



(4) Studies to refine user requirements, to investigate observational 

 data characteristics, to examine the natural variability of important fac- 

 tors in the marine environment, to compare cost-effectiveness sensi- 

 tivities of various mixes of observational platforms, and to examine 

 deployment and maintenance schedules and operational tradeoffs; 



(5) Participation in the Navy North Pacific experiment, by pro- 

 viding ship support, and installing VHP telemetry equipment for real- 

 time data relay via satellite ; 



(6) Examination in depth of the benefits obtainable for all types of 

 transportation from improved environmental predictions; and 



(7) A Scientific Advisory Committee meeting to relate buoy capa- 

 bilities to the solution of major environmental research problems, and 

 to discuss relationships with planned national and international 

 programs. 



Previous efforts have provided a sound base for specific project funding 

 of $6.5 million in fiscal year 1970 and $13.5 million in fiscal year 1971. The 

 current year's work is providing a start on engineering test platforms and 

 studies for improved platform and sensor design. 



Employing Spacecraft and Aircraft 



When the problems of the ocean are viewed on a global scale, it is ap- 

 parent that aircraft and spacecraft can serve as powerful tools which can 

 contribute significantly to the solution of ocean problems. From the unique 

 vantage points offered from the air and space, quasi-synoptic, repetitive 

 looks can be taken at immense geographical areas. Many technical diffi- 

 culties persist and there are physical limitations to a high-altitude sensor's 

 capabilities to look into the sea. But in the decade since earth orbital activity 

 began, great progress has already been made toward marine science appli- 

 cations of the Nation's space program. Activities in this field are reported 

 in the publication "United States Activities in Spacecraft Oceanography," 

 prepared for the Marine Sciences Council by NASA, the Navy, ESSA, and 

 BCF in 1967. 



Most of the current effort is being concentrated on determining the 

 capabilities and limitations of remote sensors on spacecraft. The develop- 

 ment of sensors with optimum spectral and spatial resolution to sample 

 discrete areas on the sea surface, to avoid too much "averaging" and loss of 

 detail, must be reconciled with the desirability of fully utilizing the unique 

 capability of spacecraft for broad-area coverage. The calibration of equip- 

 ment in use has posed a particular problem; considerable effort has been 

 necessary to provide "ground truth" locations over which flights can be 

 made, so that surface and high-altitude results can be compared. Data 

 handling is unusually complex, the large quantities of data acquired leading 

 to massive storage, transmission and processing problems. Much interpre- 



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