Most people assume we have a complete map of the world because of Google Earth. In reality, 70% of our ocean is a blur. While we have mapped the surface of Mars and the Moon with the incredible detail, our ocean maps are mostly “guesses” based on low resolution gravity data.
Focus on shallow sea floor
The White Ribbon Problem
Large mapping ships are expensive (roughly $50k/day) and can’t go into shallow waters because they’ll hit reefs or run aground. This unmapped “White Ribbon” of shallow water is where 40% of the world’s population lives. A satellite is the only way to map these ares safely and cheaply.
Tsunami & Flood Protection
If we don’t know the shape of the seafloor near a city, we can’t predict how a tsunami or storm surge will hit. Having a meter-precise map allows governments to build better sea walls and evacuation routes, literally saving thousands of lives.
The $3 trillion “Blue Economy”
From laying the underwater cables that run the internet to finding the best spots for offshore wind farms, the world is racing to use the ocean. We would be providing the “Google Maps” that these multi-billion dollar industries need to operate.
Seabed 2030: A massive international mission (led by the Nippon Foundation and GEBCO) to have the entire world’s ocean mapped by 2030. they are currently 27%, our help fills a part of the remaining 73%. Since its 2021 launch with only 15% of the ocean floor mapped in high resolution, the Seabed 2030 project has faced the critical challenge of accelerating its data acquisition. To meet its ambitious timeline, the initiative is prioritizing the expansion of strategic partnerships and new mapping projects to significantly enhance global seafloor coverage.
Link: https://seabed2030.org
UNESCO: They have declared this the “UN Ocean Decade.” As of 2026, they have entered the “Final Stretch” of this decade. UNESCO has already mobilized over $1 Billion and endorsed more than 500 projects. Endorsed projects get more visibility and a chance to gain visibility, investor opportunities, etc.
Link: https://oceandecade.org
| Depth Range | Goal Resolution |
|---|---|
| 0- 1.5 km | 100m x 100m |
| 1.5km to 3k | 200m x 200m |
95% confidence level
Total Horizontal Uncertainty (THU): Must be less than 5 meters + 5% depth.
Total Vertical Uncertainty (TVU): For shallow water, less than 200m, should be aiming for a depth error of less than 1 meter. No optical satellite, regardless of size, can map the deep ocean (100m+).
[ ] What other missions use (aryan) (Wednesday)