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determination of phytoplankton, sediment, yellow substances, and atmospheric scatter 
regular provision of level-2 data products from MOS data and user support. 
Possible applications are in 
monitoring tasks (BSH, IOW etc) 
oceanographic research 
investigation of suspended matter input, pollutant loads, and sedimentation processes 
bioproductivity models 
investigation of aerosol transports 
Present scientific knowledge 
Since March 1996, the imaging spectrometer MOS flown on the IRS-P3 satellite has been in 
operation, transmitting remotely sensed data primarily of the ocean/atmosphere and coastal 
zones. With its extraordinary spectral, radiometric and spatial resolution, this spectrometer 
offers unique ocean research capabilities, especially in the investigation of coastal zone 
phenomena which are characterized by the simultaneous occurrence and variability of different 
water-borne substances. 
Since under such conditions the ’’traditional” colour ratios are not applicable, special 
hyperspectral algorithms have been developed at DLR for the quantitative determination of 
water-borne substances, which are currently being adjusted and validated for various 
European coastal waters (Baltic Sea, North Sea, European Mediterranean coast). In the 
course of the mission, the available data will be processed to Level 2 products both currently 
and retrospectively and will be made available to the users. The first areas covered will be: 
Baltic Sea, in co-operation with the Baltic Sea Research Institute IOW, Warnemünde 
North Sea, in co-operation with GKSS 
Adriatic Sea, in co-operation with JRC Ispra 
South Spanish coast, in co-operation with CICEM 
Canary Basin/upwelling zone, in co-operation with ICCM 
Lake Constance 
Because of the high spectral resolution and large number of MOS channels, a definite 
improvement in the resolution and accuracy of the derived physical parameters has already 
been achieved. This will also be useful in later applications involving MERIS data from 
ENYISAT. 
Observation and investigation methods 
The operation, data reception, and archiving for MOS-IRS is carried out jointly by DLR and 
India’s ISRO. The evaluation algorithms were developed at the DLR Institute for Space 
Sensor Technology and are currently being validated for specific regional and seasonal factors. 
The implementation for the regular provision of Level-2 products is performed jointly by DFD 
and the JRC Ispra, Space Applications Institute. 
Products and Services 
In line with the repetition rate of MOS (about 14 days) the following products will be 
provided step by step: 
level IB (calibrated, referenced TOA radiances) for all available reception areas 
phytoplankton/pigment