Oceanography and Space South Central

The talk will be split between Prof. Christine Gommenginger, giving a look at the satellite observation techniques which are being applied in Oceanography and are helping to revolutionise our understandings of ocean systems and climate, and Space South Central who will be talking about their work in helping to facilitate space and satellite work between large businesses, SMEs, and academia in the UK’s largest regional ‘Space Cluster’.

Christine has over 25 years’ experience in ocean remote sensing and physical oceanography. Her research explores how microwave electromagnetic signals interact with the ocean to develop new and improved satellite-based ocean measurements, products, applications, services, sensors and missions. Her pioneering work led to new spaceborne observations of ocean wave period, coastal sea level and wave height, ocean winds and total surface currents in the open ocean and the coastal zone. She has an established international reputation in satellite altimetry, SAR interferometry, GNSS-Reflectometry and L-band radiometry. Scientific interests include atmosphere-ocean exchanges, current/wind/wave interactions, submesoscale dynamics and long-term variability and trends of key ocean ECVs, notably sea state and sea level.

Christine is a promoter and proposer of innovative Earth Observation technology and new satellite missions, working extensively with private stakeholders in the space sector. She frequently works also with end-users in operational agencies, government and the commercial sector to support greater understanding and uptake of marine Earth Observation capabilities. Christine is Principal Investigator of the SEASTAR Earth Explorer mission concept, heading an international science team of 70+ scientists and engineers to deliver new high-accuracy wide-swath images of total ocean surface current and wind vectors at 1km resolution.