Application sentinel-1 SAR data for ocean research and operation

Abstract

The European Space Agency (ESA) launched Sentinel-1A and −1B synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites in 2014 and 2016, respectively. This is the first set of a constellation mission of two identical SAR satellites providing continuity of SAR data from earlier ESA's ERS-1/2 and Envisat missions for oceans and ice, land changes and emergency responses applications. The Sentinel-1A and −1B SAR data were made freely and openly available to registered users through ESA's Sentinel-1 internet data hub. The data have been utilized in both research including hurricane/typhoon and atmospheric boundary layer phenomena studies and operational generation of ocean surface wind and oil spill maps. In this study, we present the preliminary studies of the Sentinel-1 SAR-derived surface wind products and validation results. Examples of applications of SAR for atmospheric boundary layer phenomena and oil spill detection are also given.