Science Objectives and Goals
12
H|0|ocean|ocean circulation|184|200|
H|0|surface|variability|285|295|
H|0|wind|wind|325|328|
H|0|climate|transport of heat|451|467|
H|0|tides|tides|545|549|
H|0|waves|waves|599|603|
G|0|ot|ocean topography|96|111|
G|0|geocentric|geocentric|528|537|
G|0|geoid|marine geoid|637|648|
G|0|litho|lithospheric|687|698|
G|0|mp|mantle processes|704|719|
G|0|accuracy|accuracy|129|136|
    The objective of the TOPEX/Poseidon mission is to obtain an ongoing global view of earth's ocean topography with sufficient accuracy to improve models designed to forecast global ocean circulation. 
    By meeting this objective, scientists are: determining ocean circulation and variability; learning to understand the wind's role in circulation; developing descriptions of the nature of ocean dynamics; contributing to the understanding of the transport of heat, mass, nutrients, and salt through the oceans; determining geocentric ocean tides; investigating the interaction of currents with waves; improving our knowledge of the marine geoid; and increasing our understanding of lithospheric and mantle processes.
