This working group, chaired by Dr. Tasuku Tanaka met in Halifax, in June, 1998. The group investigated the technical requirements for global-scale, operational, remote sensing of ocean colour in both Case 1 and Case 2 waters. Members of the working group also addressed the issues of complementarity that arise when more than one sensor with similar capabilities is in orbit at the same time. The objective was to provide space agencies with the information necessary for them to make an internationally-coordinated plan for the uninterrupted delivery of ocean-colour data into the indefinite future. Since coverage from a single ocean-colour satellite is only around 15% of the ocean per day (because of the obscuring effects of clouds and sun glint) the group recommended that the minimum target for ocean-colour capability should be three sensors in orbit at one time: additional sensors would allow room for the probability of failure or in-flight problems. The results of this working group were published as IOCCG Report Number 2 (1999) entitled Status and Plan for Satellite-Ocean-Colour Missions: Considerations for Complementary Missions, edited by Dr. James A. Yoder. Members: W.W. Gregg NASA / Goddard Space Flight Center, USA N. Hoepffner Joint Research Center, Italy J. Parslow Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia T. Platt Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Canada M. Rast European Space Agency, Netherlands S. Sathyendranath Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Canada A. Tanaka National Space Development Agency, Japan J. Yoder University of Rhode Island, USA Working Groups | Home

Final Report of the Status and Plans for Ocean-Colour Missions Working Group