Ascending and Descending Passes for the Determination of the Altimeter Bias of Jason Satellites using the Gavdos Facility

摘要

This paper presents the improvements made on the calibration methodology conducted at the Gavdos calibration/validation facility along with the latest altimeter calibration results for Jason-1 and Jason-2 satellite missions. Calibration results are presented, for the first time, for both ascending and descending passes of Jason satellites. The altimeter bias for Jason-2 has been estimated to be +173 ±4 mm for Pass No. 109 and +171 ± 5 mm for Pass No. 018 over cycles 1-79. In tandem mission, the difference between Jason-1 and Jason-2 has been determined to be 72mm (Pass No. 109) and 68 mm (pass No. 018) and over cycles 2-20.