Ocean surface wind direction retrieval from polarimetric microwave radiometer measurements

A new algorithm has been developed to retrieve ocean surface wind speed and wind direction from satellite-based polarimetric microwave radiometer (e.g., WindSat) data. The new algorithm employs a two-scale emissivity model to characterize the emission and scattering properties of wind roughened ocean surfaces. It also explicitly models the emission and absorption of the atmosphere, from which important atmospheric properties such as total precipitable water and cloud liquid water path can be derived. In this paper, we will present the theoretical basis of this new physical retrieval algorithm and the preliminary test results using the Environmental Product VErification and REmote Sensing Testbed (EVEREST), an end-to-end modeling and simulation capability developed by Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems for assessing system performance and data product quality of current and future environmental satellite systems.