The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is planning to participate in the second phase of the NASA Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) Project competition by submitting a Step 2 proposal for the design, construction and collection of data from a bathymetric altimeter to map the Earth's ocean floor by using a precision radar altimeter from the International Space Station (ISS). The ABYSS (Altimetric BathymetrY from Surface Slopes) mission will map the ocean floor 100 times faster and cheaper than ships can, by using a state-of-the-art radar altimeter on board the International Space Station to detect subtle tilts in the ocean surface caused by seafloor topography below. These data are required to make accurate forecast of global climate change, because seafloor topography and roughness control the circulation and mixing of heat through the ocean, and only 0.1% of the deep ocean has been mapped in enough detail so far.

Contact Richard Bennett, Director, NESDIS Business Management Division, Phone 301-713-3478, Fax 301-713-4155, Email: dick.bennett@noaa.gov - Richard Bennett, Director, NESDIS Business Management Division, Phone 301-713-3478, Fax 301-713-4155, Email: dick.bennett@noaa.gov
http://www.eps.gov/spg/DOC/NOAA/AGAMD/52-DGNE-2-90007/listing.html