The mission

The "Sea surface KInematics Multiscale monitoring" (SKIM), was a candidate for the European Space Agency Earth Explorer 9 competition. Its scientific objectives are to map the ocean surface currents, waves and ice drift over most of the globe, up to 82° of latitude, as detailed in the following pages. At present SKIM is in "phase A", which consists of detailed studies to verify the feasibility of the mission, both technically  and scientifically ... and with the constraints of the "Earth Explorer 9".  SKIM and FORUM were the two candidates selected for detailed study. Both were found to be feasible and FORUM was the one mission chosen for implementation as "Earth Explorer 9".

ESA was advised to find "other ways and means" to implement SKIM, and right now, this is being pursued in the context of the Copernicus Sentinel program.