We can calculate the exact time and date of each pass to provide you with means of planning schedules. If there is enough demand for other altimeters then we will aim to secure a service from these sources. The incoming 1 Hz Fast Delivery altimeter data is transmitted in batches when a ground station receives and returns data to the European Space Agency. This is then re-transmitted to SOS via the Internet. The SOS system regularly checks the FTP site, and determines when a new transmission has been received.
SOS then process the data to calculate significant wave height, Hs, and wind speed.
To speed transmission times SOS expect to average the 1Hz data over 10 seconds. The mean, median and extreme values of Hs will be provided. Wind speed values can also be provided should this be required. Deliverables SOS will work closely with you to set up the service to conform as closely as possible to your specific operational requirements. Wave height data will be despatched by FTP to the subscriber within 15 minutes of receipt by SOS from ESA in a format to be agreed.