This document summarizes a project using data from Saildrone autonomous surface vehicles to validate satellite measurements and conduct research on upper ocean physics and ecology. A team of investigators from various institutions will analyze data collected by Saildrone vehicles since 2015 on topics like satellite validation, ocean circulation, frontal analysis, and diurnal warming. All data from a 2018 Baja California cruise will be made publicly available through the PO.DAAC. Future work includes collaborations, publications, and sharing data and software.

1. Using Saildrone autonomous in situ data for satellite validation
and research into upper ocean physics and ecology
Lead Investigators:
Chelle Gentemann
Peter Minnett
Peter Cornillon
Co-Investigators: S. Akella, I. Cetinić, Y.
Chao, M. Chin, M. Daugharty, K.
Dohan, J. Dorman, M. Fewings, X.
Flores-Vidal, B. Fox-Kemper, B.
Franz, M. García-Reyes, J. Gomez
Valdes, E. Hazen, J. Høyer, J.
Largier, P. Mazzini, J. Scott, W.
Sydeman, J. Vazquez, F. Veron, J.
Werdell, L. Yu, K. Zaba.
Institutions: Brown University, CODAR
Ocean Sensors, Danish
Meteorological Institute, Earth and
Space Research, Ensenada Center
for Scientific Research and Higher
Education, Farallon Institute, NASA
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA
GMAO, NASA GSFC, Remote
Sensing Solutions, San Francisco
State University, Science Systems
and Applications Inc., Scripps
Institution of Oceanography,
Universities Space Research
Association, University of Baja
California, University of California
Davis, University of California
GHRSST XIX Science Team Meeting
Darmstadt, June 3-8, 2018
Project funded by:
Saildrone Inc. &
The Schmidt Family Foundation
Image credit: Saildrone, Inc.

2. Unmanned Surface Vehicle
Image credit: Saildrone, Inc.

3. Sensors

4. Saildrones have collected data from 2015 on…
Image credit: Saildrone, Inc.

5. Baja Cruise: real time data
Data explorer : web interface provided by Saildrone to visualize
data while cruise is occurring. Data from instruments on
Saildrone as well as model analyses (SST, SSS, currents, etc.)
are shown

6. Direct and task USV
Data explorer : web interface for tasking USV. This allows for
control of the USV to sample fronts and adjust the track as they
move. Points are set, with a ‘width’ set that controls the distance
the USV is allowed to vary from the track.

7. VIIRS SST and USV track
Track designed to sample
different types of fronts, provide
data for validation of satellite
environmental products, and
areas with diurnal warming
events

8. Skin minus bulk difference
Noise
due to
reflected
sky
radiation
?
Diurnal
warming
of surface
skin layer

9. Two bulk temperatures
Wind speed
dependence
Occur more in
local daytime

10. Next organizational steps
• Work with PO.DAAC to release data (open – no restrictions
on use)
• Work with PO.DAAC to integrate Saildrone data into their in
situ and satellite data collocation tools and services
• Share collocation datasets as created
• Submit Saildrone data to satellite in situ matchup databases
for Aqua MODIS, Terra MODIS, GCOM-W AMSR2,
AVHRR METOP
• Submit Saildrone data to larger in situ data collections
• ISQUAM
• ICOADS

11. Next steps
• Organize research / publications on topics:
• Quality of Saildrone observations, what looks good, what
needs to be flagged, share flagged values
• Prof. Gomez collocated drifters, circulation study
• Zaba collocated glider ADCP analysis
• Satellite – buoy – Saildrone collocation analysis,
validation of SST, ocean color, salinity
• HF Radar surface currents, OSCAR currents, and
Saildrone validation
• Coastal front analysis
• Offshore front analysis
• Across / Along winds front differences
• Circulation in frontal regions
• Baroclinic Instability waves along fronts
• Diurnal warming in surface layer

12. Summary
• All 60-day 2018 Baja cruise data should be available at the
PO.DAAC ~July 2018. There is no data embargo.
• Skin SSTs not of sufficient quality for scientific use at this
point. There is a possible NOPP project working with
Saildrone to improve to improve skin SST observation
• Creating GitHub repository to share software
• No funding for any scientists to work on these analyses, so
collaborations, sharing, and minimizing replication will be
important for maximizing the scientific results

13. http://www.camilleseaman.com/Art
ist.asp?
ArtistID=3258&Akey=WX679BJN
&ajx=1#!P118975_I2_1543930
http://www.camilleseaman.com/Art
ist.asp?
ArtistID=3258&Akey=WX679BJN
&ajx=1#!P118975_I2_1543930
Sea Ice Remnant Svalbard July 17, 2008
Image credit: Camille Seaman

14. 2019-2022: 5 Arctic Cruises
Image credit: NOAA PMEL
Image credit: Saildrone
NASA Physical
Oceanography
Program