IS THERE A FUTURE ROLE FOR ALTIMETERS CARRIED ON MICRO PLATFORMS FOR THE EARLY WARNING OF SURFACE HAZARDS?

The sea-level traces made by the altimeters on JASON and Topex/Poseidon, flying over the Indian Ocean by chance on the morning of December 26 2004, clearly demonstrated that low-amplitude, high-speed surface tsunami waves can be detected by polar-orbiting spacecraft before they reach the surrounding coastlines. The fact that those same sensors routinely monitor sea state (that is, surface wind speed and wave height) presents a strong case for developing a system of low-cost, fit-for-purpose microplatforms to deliver the frequency of sampling required for the early warning of marine hazards. After 15 years experience with research platforms the technical problems would appear to be surmountable