SatOC: About Satellite Oceanographic Consultants

	About Satellite Oceanographic Consultants

Satellite Oceanographic Consultants Limited (SatOC) was founded in 2008 by Dr David Cotton and Dr Ellis Ash, at the time both with over 12 years experience of consultancy and applied research in satellite oceanography.

Our aim is to develop and promote of practical applications of satellite oceanography, by working with industry, the research community and commercial and institutional end users. We are also motivated by the quality control of satellite data, including the routine monitoring of operational data streams as well as the detailed analysis of archive data.

Our principal technical expertise is on the data and information available from satellite microwave sensors that give measurements of ocean winds, waves and currents. We also have close association with specialists on satellite optical, infrared and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery from which information on sea surface temperature, water quality parameters and other oceanographic features can be obtained. This gives us a full understanding of all techniques and applications of satellite oceanography, or marine earth observation (EO) as it is also known.

We recognise that pure satellite-based solutions rarely provide the complete answer to user problems and requirements, and therefore promote an integrated approach. This is often a combination of satellite data, local measurements and numerical models.

Our services include: data processing, integration and dissemination; project definition, proposal preparation and project management; user federation, requirements surveys and analysis; bespoke studies, presentations and report writing. Read more in Services and expertise.

We have a pedigree of managing and participating in collaborative European research and development programmes. Read more in Projects and project management.

Quality control and assessment of data is a prime concern of ours and we have previously worked on calibration and validation contracts for satellite data providers. Read more on this and satellite data sources in Data information and resources.