Mark Abbott
AESOPS Surface Drifters

Standard World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) surface drifters
were modified by METOCEAN Data Systems to include a Satlantic 
spectroradiometer (model OCR-100) in the bottom of the surface float.
This sensor measured upwelling radiance at 412, 443, 490,
510, 555, 670, and 683 nm.  The surface float also included pressure
and temperature sensors.  A Satlantic narrow band irradiance sensor
(model ED-100), centered at 490 nm, was mounted in the top of the
surface float.  A 40 m long drogue was attached below the surface
float such that the drifter responded primarily to currents at 15 m
depth. Data were averaged over 60 minutes and then transmitted.  If 
a NOAA polar-orbiting satellite was in range, then the message was 
relayed to shore using Service Argos.  Otherwise the message was 
replaced the next hour with new data, and the new message transmitted.
 On average, approximately twelve messages were received per day.  
The data set also includes housekeeping information from the drifter
such as battery voltage, number of samples, and average time that the
surface float was submerged.