Radar altimetry revolutionises the study of the ocean

Un radar altimetrico, situato su un satellite, potrebbe avere delle notevoli ripercussioni nell'ambito oceanografico. E' quanto emerso da una conferenza in corso a Venezia (dal sito ESA):

22 March 2006: Imagine a space tool so revolutionary it can determine the impact of climate change, monitor the melting of glaciers, discover invisible waves, predict the strength of hurricanes, conserve fish stocks and measure river and lake levels worldwide, among other scientific applications. This instrument is not the subject of a science-fiction novel. In fact, four of them are already operating 800 kilometres and higher above Earth.
(Source: ESA Observing the Earth) Read more here