Seasat-A SASS: Dealiased Ocean Wind Vectors (1978)

Seasat-A Scatterometer data provides the first spaceborne global wind vector measurements from a three-month mission in 1978. Wind direction ambiguities are resolved using a global weather prediction model, and data are binned into 100 km cells per swath. This complete dataset results from reprocessing efforts led by Frank Wentz, Robert Atlas, and Michael Freilich.

Use Cases

• [Analyzing historical global wind patterns] based on [chronologically presented swath data from July to October 1978]
• [Validating modern scatterometer wind retrieval algorithms] based on [reprocessed and dealiased wind vector measurements]
• [Studying ocean-atmosphere interactions] based on [global 100 km binned wind vector cells]
• [Assessing satellite mission data continuity] based on [the complete Seasat-A Scatterometer mission dataset]

Strengths

• Provides the first global satellite wind vector measurements from the pioneering Seasat mission in 1978.
• Wind direction ambiguities are resolved using a global weather prediction model, enhancing data utility.
• Represents a complete, reprocessed dataset from a key historical mission, as noted in the descriptions.

Limitations

• Key metadata such as column names, row counts, and precise data size are unavailable across all sources.
• The temporal coverage is limited to the short, three-month operational lifespan of the Seasat mission.
• Sources conflict on the 'last updated' date, with entries ranging from 1978 to a future date in 2026, indicating potential metadata errors.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing via the Seasat-A Scatterometer (SASS) instrument, with subsequent reprocessing.

Time Range

July 1978 to October 1978

Freshness

2026-04-09 22:32:52.239194

Geography

Global