ESA's support of operational oceanography: current status and future plans

While remote sensing observations provide detailed synoptic coverage of relatively large surface areas, it is only in combination with in situ observations (preferably coincident in time and space) that a three dimensional picture of the oceanographic conditions can be obtained. Models, on the other hand, which need data for reliable initialization, are offering advanced capabilities for validation and interpretation of the remote sensing observations. This synergy, in turn, leads to better understanding of the underlying processes. Thus, it is only when remote sensing observations are combined with in situ observations and models that an optimal system for ocean monitoring and prediction is achieved.