Wind Vector Over Sea Surface (Horizontal) Measurement Instruments

Measurements > Ocean > Ocean surface winds > Wind vector over sea surface (horizontal)
Measurement Definition: The wind vector represents the motion of the airmass over the ground. It is described by wind speed and the inverse of wind direction. Conventionally measured at 10 m height. For expected performances and in case the measurement is made at a different height or in case it is corrected to 10m, indicate in the comments the exact height of the instrument as well as whether correction to 10 m has been applied. Accuracy is the modulus of the vector difference between measured and true vectors. [Unit of measurement - m/s]
InstrumentStatus/
Accuracy
Instrument DescriptionMeasurement TechnologyTimeline
AGRIOperationalA multiple channel radiation imager, one of the primary instruments aboard FY-4. Technically featured by a precisely designed two-mirror structure, capable of accurate and flexible sensing in two dimensions, and minute-level fast sector scanning. Frequent Earth imaging over 14 bands with off-axis three reflections of the primary optic system. On-board black body available for IR calibrations at very short time intervals.n/a
C-Band SAROperationalMarine core services, land monitoring and emergency services. Monitoring sea ice zones and arctic environment. Surveillance of marine environment, monitoring land surface motion risks, mapping of land surfaces (forest, water and soil, agriculture), mapping in support of humanitarian aid in crisis situations.n/a
COWVROperationalHosted on the ISS, COWVR measures the direction and speed of winds at the ocean surfaceMulti-purpose imaging MW radiometer
PALSAR-2OperationalDisaster monitoring, land monitoring, agricultural monitoring, natural resource exploration, global forest monitoring, potential use and interferometry.n/a
SAR-LOperationalLand, ocean, emergencies, soil moisture, interferometry, others.n/a
SCATOperationalOcean surface wind vectorRadar scatterometer
Scatterometer (Oceansat-3)OperationalOcean surface wind measurements, continuity to ocean vector windRadar scatterometer
WindRADOperationalMeasures sea-surface wind.Radar scatterometer
PALSAR-3Being developedDisaster monitoring, land monitoring, agricultural monitoring, natural resource exploration, global forest monitoring, potential use and interferometry.n/a
SCABeing developedMeasures wind speed and direction over ocean, soil moisture, sea ice cover, sea ice type, snow cover and snow parameters and vegetation parametersRadar scatterometer
Advanced ScatterometerProposedOcean surface wind measurements.Radar scatterometer