We compare wind fields retrieved from a RADARSAT‐I synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image acquired over Hurricane Ivan on September 10, 2004 using the C‐band geophysical model functions Cmod4 and its newest version Cmod5. Cmod4 has previously been shown to yield very good wind field estimates under low and moderate wind conditions. Wind directions obtained from streaks imaged by the SAR, that are well aligned with the mean surface wind direction are used to invert both algorithms to obtain estimates of the wind speed on scales of 1 km. These estimates are compared with predictions from a high‐resolution tropical cyclone model as well as local in situ data. It is found that the SAR wind speeds using Cmod5 agree reasonably well, while those from Cmod4 significantly under predict the measured wind speeds near the hurricane eye wall that reach values as high as 60 m s−1.

The RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) is a future Canadian spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mission, with the purpose of supporting the operational use of SAR imagery for different Earth observation applications. The mission, through its three identical satellites, will provide average daily complete coverage of Canada's land and oceans. In this paper, we provide an overview of the RCM and its characteristics and advancements over previous Canadian SAR missions. However, emphasis is given to the expected potential of the RCM in regard to environmental applications. Experimental results of environmental applications using simulated RCM data have shown promising potential for the mission.

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The Canadian Space Agency's Hurricane Watch program monitors tropical cyclones worldwide and acquires RADARSAT-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar imagery to provide experimental datasets to the scientific research community interested in surface wind field studies. The current HW archives spans from 1999 to 2006 and contain a variety of tropical cyclones from around the world. The images show various storm development stages, and morphological characteristics. To further promote the initiative, CSA is about to provide processed images to the scientific community through an Announcement of Opportunity. In this paper, we will demonstrate how simulations of extensive acquisition plans over the Atlantic basin can provide an improved planning strategy to increase the number of valuable images.

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