Benoit Legresy (CSIRO, Australia); Jack Beardsley (Integrated Marine Observing System, Australia)

The Bass Strait altimeter validation facility (~40° 39’S, 145° 36’ E) continues to provide cycle-by-cycle estimates of altimeter absolute SSH bias for the TOPEX - Jason - Sentinel-6 reference missions, in addition to Sentinel-3A and Sentinel-3B, each with dedicated comparison points. The facility uses a direct geometric approach to validation that involves maintaining an in situ network of sensors including moored oceanographic instruments, GNSS equipped buoys, a coastal tide gauge and continuously operating GNSS reference stations.

Here we present our evaluation of the first Sentinel-6B data. We utilise the latest in situ data until March 2026 to enable a first evaluation of Sentinel-6B over the Bass Strait facility. We also present our analysis of the Jason-3 / Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich missions, presenting absolute and relative SSH biases for each respective mission.