Performance of the Earth Explorer 11 SeaSTAR Mission Candidate for Simultaneous Retrieval of Total Surface Current and Wind Vectors

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript titled "Evaluating the performance of the Earth Explorer 11 SeaSTAR mission candidate for simultaneous retrieval of total surface current and wind vectors" presents a comprehensive numerical analysis of the Earth Explorer 11 (EE11) SeaSTAR mission concept. The study is crucial for understanding the capabilities and limitations of the SeaSTAR mission in retrieving ocean surface current and wind vector data, which are essential for global Earth System modeling and climate prediction. While the findings provide a solid foundation for assessing the SeaSTAR mission's capabilities, several outstanding questions still need to be explored.

 

1.     It is important to understand how the SeaSTAR mission's performance compares with existing remote sensing technologies. How does the SeaSTAR mission's performance compare with existing satellite scatterometers and altimeters in terms of spatial resolution, accuracy, and data continuity?

2.     The manuscript mentions a Bayesian framework used to derive TSCV and OSVW from satellite scattering measurements. Could the authors elaborate on the advantages and limitations of this Bayesian approach compared to traditional methods, particularly in addressing complex ocean phenomena?

3.     In the case of performance degradation at near-range and low wind speeds, as noted in Section 4, what is the extent of this issue, and are there specific strategies proposed to mitigate these effects for different wind directions?

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The English language in the manuscript is generally of good quality. Only minor editing of the English language is required.

Author Response

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Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

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Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

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Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

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