Contrary to satellite data, in-situ measurement are difficult to access. In fact,y the in-situ measurements are acquired during scientific experiments by different laboratories spread all around the world.

Of course, a lot of measurement exist on the GTS (Global Telecommunication System) but their quality varies.

Fortunately, with GOOS, WMO, IOC, CLIVAR, many international programs try to coordinate and make the in-situ measurement access easier (WOCE, ARGO, JCOMOPS, GOSUD, CLIVAR, Ocean Time Series…).

In this context, the 7 institutes  involved in operational oceanography in France(Cnes, Cnrs, Ifremer, Ipev, Ird, Météo-France, Shom)  have decided to create the Coriolis project (2002-2005) in order to :  

	organise data collection in real-time and delayed mode of in-situ measurements necessary for operational oceanography,
	set up an operational in-situ data center,
	develop and improve the technology necessary for operational oceanography.