CLS tasks:
The first aim was to demonstrate the feasibility of the development of a meso-scale ocean forecasting system assimilating altimetry data.
A phase of feasibility was accomplished in 1991.
In October 1993, this concept was approved in pre-operational situation during a pilot survey, SOAP 93 in the Azores-Madeira-Canaries Islands region, during the Semaphore campaign.
This demonstration was extended from August 1994 to July 1997, using a quasi-geostrophic model assimilating altimetry data in real time.
Following this experience, a first prototype, SOPRANE was launched in 1996 and made operational in 1998.
A weekly oceanographic bulletin, covering the North East Atlantic was delivered to the Naval Forces.
Then the SOAP program was launched in 2000 to be replaced by SOAP 2 starting in 2001.
CLS developed the scientific oceanographic part of the system (model, assimilation, altimetry data) and implemented it (real-time chain) in an on-board version on the "d'Entrecasteaux" vessel of SHOM, during the Semaphore campaign.
CLS was also responsible for the development of the SACSO software.
This software, developed in 1994, by CLS and the Laboratory Vision of ENSEEIHT, enabled the detection and survey of frontal and mesoscale structures.
This program can be used to model sea surface height maps and/or altimetry sea level anomaly maps.
This software and its successive releases have been integrated in the SOAP system.
For the SOAP program, CLS developed again the oceanographic and scientific part of the system and its operational implementation.
Together with SSALTO/DUACS team, CLS supported the project head for leading and coordinating the partners involved.
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