ARGOS capabilities for global ocean monitoring

The world's oceans contain over 3000 drifting buoys, moored buoys, floats and other platforms monitored by the Argos satellite-based location and data collection system. Following successful deployments in such programmes as TOGA and WOCE, and now ARGO, Argos is going through fundamental changes to better meet the needs of its main users: oceanographers. New features include two-way communication—operational in April 2003—increased data transmission capacity, and fully customised access to data and results. Designed for and with its scientific users, Argos will remain the only global satellite-based system dedicated to monitoring and protecting the environment. This paper reviews the reliable tools used for in situ observations with Argos, the related global networks, and describes the enhancements to the system designed to enable the ocean community to satisfy increasingly difficult data relay needs with a proven, reliable, and robust data collection link.