106 MARINE SCIENCE 
carrying a suitable recording system, such as magnetic tape, the infor- 
mation transmitted by the buoy could be recorded as desired. 
In this system it would be planned to have the data processed at the 
conclusion of the flight. Difficulties with this system are not to be 
minimized since it requires the availability of suitable high-flying 
long-range aircraft, as well as the necessary operating bases. How- 
ever, it would be possible to carry out some fairly extensive programs 
with existing bases and aircraft. It should also be pointed out here 
that suitable radio frequency assignments must be made if communi- 
cations of this type are to be carried out. 
Here I should like to make a proposal that I hope will be looked at 
reasonably seriously. I think we might suggest here that a very fine 
use for the U-2’s is in the matter of using them for high-altitude 
interrogation work of this type because of their design. 
The Cuarrman. If they will just keep on course, we will be in good 
shape. 
Mr. Snoperass. These were designed for scientific work, and I think 
in a progressive country, if we are going to take the lead, we need 
such aggressive and imaginative arrangements of this sort. 
Another and most promising system for long-term operation is to 
be found in the various types of communications satellites. First, the 
active satellites, which are planned on being programed for orbits 
between 5,000 and 6,000 miles, will undoubtedly require powers that 
are not readily available to small floating buoys and floating instru- 
ment stations. However, these satellites can be counted upon for 
communicating between ships and shore bases using stabilized dish- 
type antennas. It would thus be possible to transmit a very large 
amount of data with high reliability from ship to shore and vice versa 
using the satellite system. This would mean that it would be possible 
to send data directly ashore for data analysis as desired. The active 
satellites which are referred to for this type of data relaying operate 
in real time. 
Another type of satellite known as the Courier type is perhaps the 
most adaptable under the present basis of operation. The Courier 
type of satellite does not retransmit radio signals in real time, but im- 
volves a delay system. The Courier satellite is planned on being pro- 
See to a much lower orbit, namely the range from 300 to 400 miles. 
ince it is much lower, it will require a great deal less power to effect 
reliable communication between buoy and satellite. At present the 
Courier type of satellite is designed to record information received 
via radio and play it back on proper interrogation from the ground- 
based station. It is considered practical to program the Courier type 
of satellite to interrogate buoys as it passes over various portions of 
the ocean and then to playback or reproduce the data obtained from 
the buoy when it passes over a suitable land-based station. The land- 
based. station would be enabled to keep a longer contact with the satel- 
lite since it would have a much superior antenna system than that 
possessed by the floating station. 
A most significant problem presently exists with the proposed use 
of any of the satellites and this is the fact that there are presently 
tremendous demands upon the electromagnetic communications spec- 
trum that is expected to be available to the satellite systems, and unless 
the research groups interested in obtaining ocean data make a very 
