Remote Sensing Systems

Remote Sensing Systems (RSS) is a private research company headquartered in Santa Rosa, California, specializing in the processing and scientific analysis of satellite microwave remote-sensing observations. Founded in 1974 by Frank Wentz, the company works with measurements collected by a range of NASA satellites and converts those observations into long-term, globally distributed records of oceanic and atmospheric conditions. RSS's work is centered on turning complex satellite signals into usable geophysical information. Its products include measurements and derived records concerning sea-surface temperature, near-surface wind fields, atmospheric water vapor, and related ocean and atmosphere variables. Such records are used by researchers studying climate variability and long-term climate change, as well as by users concerned with weather and ocean forecasting. The company's activities have been supported primarily through NASA's Earth Science Enterprise program, according to the referenced encyclopedia material. RSS is especially prominent in debates and research concerning the satellite temperature record. Its climate datasets are frequently cited as an independent line of evidence regarding changes in global temperature. Work by RSS scientists Carl Mears, Matthias Schabel, and Frank Wentz identified errors in early versions of satellite temperature records assembled by the University of Alabama in Huntsville team associated with John Christy and Roy Spencer. Earlier UAH results had indicated little or no substantial atmospheric temperature trend; subsequent corrections brought those records closer to RSS results, surface-temperature analyses, radiosonde observations, and climate-model estimates. The satellite temperature record has continued to evolve as researchers have improved methods for accounting for satellite changes, instrument characteristics, orbital drift, and other sources of measurement bias. RSS released version 4 of its lower-troposphere temperature product in June 2017. The revision substantially increased the estimated trend since 1979, from approximately 0.135 K per decade to approximately 0.184 K per decade. The company's published records have therefore been both scientific data products and inputs into wider discussions about the reliability and interpretation of satellite-derived climate measurements. RSS operates as a specialist research and data organization rather than a mass-market consumer brand. Its public identity is tied to technical expertise, long-running satellite datasets, and the reproducibility and interpretation of remote-sensing observations. The available reference material does not identify a parent company, public listing, current executive roster, detailed commercial revenue, or a complete chronology of its contracts and product launches. Its known scope remains focused on scientific processing, analysis, and dissemination of satellite microwave data for global ocean and atmospheric research.

Remote Sensing Systems was founded in 1974 by Frank Wentz and developed as a specialist research organization working with satellite microwave observations. Its base is in Santa Rosa, California. Rather than manufacturing satellites or operating as a consumer-facing technology company, RSS focuses on the scientific processing of measurements collected by NASA and other satellite systems. The company transforms raw or partially processed microwave observations into geophysical variables that can be analyzed over large geographic areas and across long periods. The company's research has been associated primarily with NASA's Earth Science Enterprise program. Its work has covered ocean and atmospheric parameters, including sea-surface temperature, surface wind fields, atmospheric water vapor, and satellite-derived temperature indicators. These datasets support scientific studies of weather, ocean conditions, climate variability, and long-term climate change. Their value comes from global coverage and the ability to assemble consistent records from instruments operating on successive satellites. RSS became particularly well known for its role in the satellite temperature record. Early versions of satellite-derived atmospheric temperature records produced by the UAH group, associated with John Christy and Roy Spencer, had shown little significant temperature trend. Research conducted by RSS scientists Carl Mears, Matthias Schabel, and Frank Wentz identified errors in those early records. Later corrections to the UAH record moved it closer to the RSS record and to trends derived from surface observations, radiosondes, and climate models. The episode illustrated the technical difficulty of creating climate records from instruments that were not originally designed to provide a single uninterrupted series across multiple satellites. The RSS temperature products have themselves been revised as methods and scientific understanding improved. In June 2017, RSS released version 4 of its lower-troposphere temperature product. The revision changed the estimated trend from 1979 onward from roughly 0.135 K per decade to roughly 0.184 K per decade, a change of about 36 percent. This update formed part of the continuing scientific effort to account for measurement and processing issues in satellite records. Independent measurements from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder on NASA's Aqua satellite have also been described as showing substantial agreement with surface-temperature data. The company remains best understood as a private scientific research and data-services organization. Public reference material identifies its location, founder, research focus, and role in climate-data production, but does not provide a complete account of its ownership structure, current management, revenue, staffing, or all of its contracts. Consequently, its documented history is strongest in relation to satellite remote sensing and the development and revision of climate data products.

• 2017

  Version 4 lower-troposphere temperature product released

  [1]Remote Sensing Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  RSS released version 4 of its lower-troposphere temperature dataset and substantially revised the estimated trend since 1979.

• 2011

  Corrections narrow differences between UAH and RSS satellite temperature records

  [1]Remote Sensing Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  A correction to the UAH satellite temperature dataset brought its results closer to the RSS record, although differences between the datasets remained.

• 1974

  Remote Sensing Systems is founded

  [1]Remote Sensing Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  Frank Wentz founded Remote Sensing Systems as a private research company focused on satellite remote sensing.

Specialist scientific data and research provider focused on processing satellite microwave observations into long-term global ocean and atmospheric datasets.

• Oceanographic data

  Satellite-derived sea-surface temperature datasets

  Global sea-surface temperature records derived from satellite microwave observations. These datasets are intended for research and analysis of ocean conditions, climate variability, and long-term temperature change rather than for consumer applications.

• Oceanographic data

  Ocean surface wind datasets

  Satellite-based estimates of surface wind fields over the world's oceans. The records provide broad geographic coverage and can support oceanographic studies, weather analysis, and climate research.

• Atmospheric data

  Atmospheric water-vapor datasets

  Processed microwave observations used to characterize atmospheric water vapor on a global scale. Such measurements are relevant to atmospheric research, weather interpretation, and studies of the climate system.

• Climate data · 2017

  Lower-troposphere temperature record

  A satellite-derived temperature record used to estimate changes in the lower troposphere over time. RSS has revised the product as processing methods and understanding of satellite measurement issues have developed; version 4 was released in 2017.

• 2017

  Release of version 4 lower-troposphere temperature dataGeneration change

  Background

  RSS continued revising its satellite temperature record to address methodological and measurement issues affecting long-term comparisons among satellites.

  Action taken

  The company released version 4 of its lower-troposphere temperature product.

  Aftermath

  The estimated temperature trend since 1979 increased from approximately 0.135 K per decade to approximately 0.184 K per decade.

  Source

1. 1Remote Sensing Systemsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Remote Sensing Systems official websiteremss.com