488 



150 OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE NEXT DECADE 



and water temperature, and for collecting meteorological data. 

 FLIP achieves its stability and vertical access through the water 

 column by its extension vertically below the surface when on 

 station. Increased efforts to improve active acoustic capabilities 

 and all-weather operations in higher latitudes emphasize the con- 

 tinuing requirements for a PL/P-like platform. The present FLIP 

 cannot support the more demanding projects expected in the near 

 future. Research users have requested a second-generation FLIP 

 that would allow for deployment of new larger, multidimensional 

 acoustic arrays, ROVs, and other equipment under development. 



fOIDES Resolution 



The JOIDES Resolution is a specially equipped drilling vessel 

 that has laboratory facilities for studying core samples and the 

 capability for making downhole measurements (logging). NSF has 

 contracted with JOI, which has in turn contracted with Texas 

 A&M University to serve as science operator and with Lamont- 

 Doherty Geological Observatory to provide logging and other ser- 

 vices. The science operator is responsible for the operation of the 

 drill ship, cruise staffing, logistics, engineering, shipboard labora- 

 tories, archiving of core samples and data, and publications. The 

 Ocean Drilling Program is in the category of large science projects 

 that require the application of expensive state-of-the-art technol- 

 ogy for the advancement of the science. 



Satellites: Ocean-Related Remote Sensing 



In the early 1980s, NASA asked JOI to prepare a report on 

 satellite oceanography. The report — Oceanography from Space 

 1985-1995 (JOI, 1985), prepared by a committee of oceanographers 

 expert in the field, recommended a series of ocean-related remote 

 sensing missions that are scheduled for the 1990s (Table 4-6). It 

 is increasingly clear that understanding the ocean is central to 

 global change research and that the National Aeronautics and Space 

 Administration (NASA) and analogous space agencies around the 

 world should be major participants in the development of ocean 

 remote sensing. Although several ocean-related missions are scheduled 

 in the early 1990s, plans for the late 1990s and beyond are still 

 tentative. Because of the long lead time from the concept of a 

 satellite sensor until it is launched, efforts are needed now to 

 ensure the development of relevant missions for the early twenty- 

 first century to avoid gaps in time series of important measure- 



