455 



This instrunientaiion is continucally being expanded and evaluated 

 against in situ measurements at these special test sites. The outcome of 

 these tests and subequent evaluation will provide continuing input to 

 our satellite systems design studies which are proceeding in parallel 

 with the sensor activities. 



One additional element of NASA's earth resources survey program 

 that is as important for oceanography as for the other discipline ele- 

 ments is the matter of data management. We are developing a tech- 

 nological capability which could, if applied operationally, accumulate 

 vast amounts of oceanographic data — data that are required to permit 

 both an understanding of marine science and an exploitation of marine 

 resources. We must, and we are, devoting considerable research effort 

 directed toward developing the technology required to efficiently re- 

 duce, analyze, and utilize the large masses of data which may be pro- 

 duced by future satellites. The present accumulation of our limited 

 research and development experiments signal the need for this facet of 

 a full system. 



Although I could cite other examples of possible satellite applica- 

 tions, the ultimate outcome of these activities cannot be forecast at this 

 time, and I prefer not to become too speculative. Perhaps, it woud be 

 safe to say, however, that these activities will at least produce new cap- 

 abilities for aerial surveys of regions believed to be of interest to marine 

 biologists or oceanographers prior to extensive in situ exploration. A 

 typical example can be illustrated by a Gemini photograph of the Ron- 

 gelap Atoll in the Pacific — SA68-1521Y — which, while not of mapping 

 quality itself, indicated the inadequacy of existing charts of the area. 



It is evident that space technology can provide an overview not ob- 

 tainable by other means. It remains to be seen from the present and 

 future experimental activities, how broadly applicable these tech- 

 nologies are in meeting the needs of future national and international 

 oceanographic programs. 



All agencies involved in oceanography participate in the activities of 

 the National Council of Marine Resources and Engineering Develop- 

 ment which provides the high-level policy coordination and program 

 review in a manner similar to the National Aeronautics and Space 

 Council in aeronautics and space. Furthermore, close management co- 

 operation has been developed, as outlined earlier, to conduct specific 

 studies and experiments. It must be understood that the equipment and 

 tecliniques I have described are all in the study and research stage. 

 Should these activities prove the technical and economic feasibility of 

 an operational oceanographic satellite system, specific management 

 relationships will be required to satisfy the development and oper- 

 ational needs. There is a precedent suitable for comparison in such 

 circumstances; that is, the NASA/ESSA relationship in the opera- 

 tional meteorological satellite system. 



There is an operational system at work today under the overall direc- 

 tion of ESSA : funded from their budget ; routinely operated by ESSA 

 personnel ; and utilized for daily global weather prediction inputs by 

 the Weather Bureau. The satellites, however, are procured by NASA 

 contract with industry and with NASA personnel managing all pro- 

 duction, tests, launching, and inflight checkout operations. In other 

 words, on a reimbursable basis, NASA delivers Tiros Operational 



