CFOSAT: A new Chinese-French satellite for joint observations of ocean wind vector and directional spectra of ocean waves

Abstract : CFOSAT (the China France Oceanography Satellite) is a joint mission from the Chinese and French Space Agencies, devoted to the observation ocean surface wind and waves so as to improve wind and wave forecast for marine meteorology, ocean dynamics modeling and prediction, climate variability knowledge, fundamental knowledge of surface processes. Currently under Phase D (manufacturing phase), the launch is now planned for mid-2018 the later. The CFOSAT will carry two payloads, both Ku-Band Radar: wave scatterometer (SWIM) and a wind scatterometer (SCAT) . Both instruments are based on new concepts with respect to existing satellite-borne wind and wave sensors. During this conference, we will present the CFOSAT mission, its objectives and main characteristics. We will then focus on SWIM and the expected geophysical product performances. We will also present ongoing work related to the preparation of CAL/VAL activities and to data exploitation.