INTRODUCTION 



The first experiments in oceanographic remote sensing were con- 

 ducted during World War II, when photoreconnaissance aircraft recorded 

 surface wave patterns on film. The resulting photographs provided wave 

 height and wavelength measurements, as well as an indication of near- 

 shore bathymetry . 



In following years, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the 

 Naval Research Laboratory, and the Naval Oceanographic Office devised 

 some remote oceanographic sensors. Airborne surface temperature and 

 surface wave sensors were built and tested. 



In 196h, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 

 suggested the use of spacecraft as platforms for collecting remote 

 oceanographic measurements. A conference was sponsored by NASA and 

 the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution at Woods Hole, Mass., from 

 2k to 28 August 1964 (Woods Hole, 1965) • T5ie conclusion reached was 

 that sufficient technology in remote sensing existed to warrant a 

 research program. As a result, NASA agreed to join with the U.S. Navy 

 in a series of research studies to determine if available remote oceano- 

 graphic sensors could be used on orbiting satellites. 



The Spacecraft Oceanography Project was established at the Naval 

 Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) in 1965. The object of this Project 

 was to determine which features of the ocean could be detected from 

 space and which sensors could be used. This report describes the first 

 experiment of this Project. 



OVERALL OBJECTIVE 



The first remote sensing experiment compared remote sensors on 

 the NASA aircraft and the Navy Antisubmarine Warfare Environmental Pre- 

 diction Services (ASWEPS) aircraft with controlled surface measurements. 

 Since some of these sensors had never been flown over water, the experi- 

 ment would also demonstrate the nature of the records received on over- 

 water flights. 



The majority of the experiment was conducted in the vicinity of 

 Bermuda between 6 and 12 March 1966. Bermuda was selected because the 

 Office of Naval Research tower, ARGUS ISLAND, could provide reference 

 measurements. Four types of reference measurements were required: 

 (l) sea surface waves in the form of power spectra, (2) a time series 

 of sea surface temperatures, (3) meteorological observations, and (h) 

 dye concentration measurements. Some detailed records and sample data 

 from the tower reference measurements are contained in appendix A. 



In addition to the tests at Bermuda, infrared and microwave sen- 

 sors were operated on the way to and from Bermuda over the northern 

 boundary of the Gulf Stream. 



