Steps towards the preparation of a Wavemill mission

Wavemill is a microwave instrument designed to retrieve ocean surface currents in two dimensions. After initial internal investigations and the successful results of a feasibility study, the European Space Agency (ESA) is pursuing a programme of steps aimed towards the development of a Wavemill-based mission. This includes a proof-of-concept campaign, scientific assessment of the product validity, end-to-end simulator development, mission (Phase 0) study and hardware risk retirement for the antenna and on-board processing sub-systems. This paper briefly covers all these activities and establishes a notional timeline for their completion. The end goal of a Wavemill mission is dependent not only on a successful conclusion to these activities but also on the interest and enthusiasm of the oceanographic community as well as the validity and applicability of the products such a mission could provide.