CoAuthors

Ilias Tziavos (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece); Demitris Galanakis (Technical University of Crete, Greece); Xenofon Frantzis (Technical University of Crete, Greece); George Vergos (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece); Achilles Tripolitsiotis (Space Geomatica Ltd., Greece); Ole Andersen (DTU Space, Denmark)

This work presents and compares the latest altimeter calibration results for the Jason-1 and Jason-2, as well as the SARAL/AltiKa and the Chinese HY-2 missions, conducted at the Gavdos/Crete calibration/validation facilities. At first, the Jason altimeter calibration values will be given for the ascending Pass No.109 and the descending Pass No.18, based on the the GDR-C (Jason-1) and GDR-D (Jason-2) products. Secondly, these values will be cross-examined against the altimeter bias for the SARAL/AltiKa satellite at Gavdos Cal/Val using its reference ascending orbit No. 571. Finally the Chinese HY-2 satellite altimeter bias will be presented using the CRS1 permanent site in south west Crete for the descending HY-2 Pass No. 280, at 20 Hz based on SGDR data products. Additionally, altimeter biases as determined by locally developed Mean Sea Surface model will be presented and compared with the conventional sea-surface calibration methodology.