Ocean monitoring using space-based assets is a critical component in the ongoing development of global ocean observing systems. The past twenty years in satellite oceanography have been an era of instrument, technique and technology development in each of the major conceptual areas advanced nearly forty years ago: altimetry, scatterometry; microwave, visible and infrared radiometry and more recently, synthetic aperture radar. While most of the ocean observing instruments have been unique systems on a discontinuous sequence of research and development platforms, ocean parameters such as sea surface temperature, wind speed, ice concentration, and water vapor have been regularly measured and archived for approximately twenty years from operational meteorological satellites. Over these two decades, operational measurement of basic ocean parameters coupled with continuously improving research instruments and data accuracy has proven to be a powerful combination. End-users of satellite ocean data have become more comfortable with the reliability, interpretation, and sustained availability of remotely sensed data. Long-term use in daily applications is an essential aspect of the technology transfer process. We now see satellite data utilization in conventional oceanographic applications, growing commercial development, and improving ocean forecasting and real-time imagery.

With its domestic and international partners, NOAA/NESDIS presently supports data streams, research and operational applications of altimetry, scatterometry, visible, infrared, and microwave radiometry and synthetic aperture radar. Among other parameters, these instruments deliver near real-time sea surface height, wind, temperature, and color, which are used very effectively with in-situ data to characterize dynamical features associated with important fishing stocks. Once exclusively in the domain of ocean signature research or ice applications, high-resolution synthetic aperture radar imagery is finding favor in the coastal and fisheries management communities.

As technology transfer platforms, quasi-operational, satellite oceanography systems accelerate progress and are insurance against artificial conservatism. All of the experimental systems have Web-based interfaces and operational users who continuously monitor and evaluate the near real-time, experimental products. The results show that what is needed is limited invention of new approaches, and greater integration, efficiency, and extension of existing distributed systems. Reliable access to a sustained source of data with adequate coverage and refresh rates, a constellation, is necessary to entrain and hold the user community. Joint risk-reduction efforts between the research and operational data providers optimize transitions.

Operational oceanography requires dedicated partnerships among satellite data providers, the modeling community, conventional oceanographers, and users. A guide to the future is found in analysis of previous meteorological and oceanographic satellite developments interpreted within today's Internet context of rapid evolution and interactive user participation. For maximum utilization of prototypical sensors, NESDIS is making significant investment in commercial data buys, real-time processing, telecommunications and storage technology in support of national and international access and distribution of ocean sensing environmental satellites. NESDIS is further contributing to the positive momentum for operational satellite oceanography through grassroots dialogue with potential satellite collaborators, ocean modelers, and in-situ measurement programs. Concurrent investment in the education of users and scientists is an effort to build, sustain and improve the future of satellite oceanography.