Brits head GPS and GNSS research project

Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) will investigate a prototype instrument capable of measuring the roughness of the sea and soil moisture content, which will provide data for atmospheric science and for operational ocean and weather forecasting. SSTL will lead a team of experts to analyse signals from GPS and GNSS navigation satellites reflected from land, ice and ocean. The instrument will fly on board a separate small satellite. The company is developing a flexible multi channel receiver to detect the reflected GNSS signals for surface sea state measurements which it hopes will make it possible to derive scientific data about the nature of the reflecting surface and the atmosphere. Sea surface roughness affects air / sea exchange of gases and, according to SSTL, the better sampling offered by a new instrument will have a direct impact on understanding the distribution of atmospheric CO2 uptake by the ocean. This could result in the ability to predict high winds, rough seas or flood risks.