CoAuthors

Frank Lemoine (NASA/GSFC, USA); Nikita Zelensky (SGT Inc., USA); Bryant Loomis (NASA GSFC, USA); Richard Ray (NASA GSFS, USA); Gary Mitchum (University of South Florida, USA); Xu Yang (SGT Inc., USA)

The terrestrial reference frame is the foundation for analysis and interpretation of Earth science observations, especially for data from ocean radar altimeter satellites. The accuracy of the coordinates as well as the consistency of the technique solutions within an ITRF affect the accuracy with which orbits are computed, and map into the accuracy of the altimeter derived estimates of global mean sea level (GMSL). The recent launch of Jason-3 offers the possibility of continuing GMSL monitoring well into the next decade. In an effort to provide a consistent TOPEX/Jason altimeter sea surface height (SSH) time series and seamless transition to Jason-3, we have generated orbits for the entire time span based on the revised ITRF2014 terrestrial reference frame. We report the efficacy of the revised terrestrial reference frame towards improving precise orbit determinations leading to the development of the NASA MEaSURE’s V4.0 revised sea surface height Climate Data Record (http://podaac.jpl.nasa.gov/dataset/MERGED_TP_J1_OSTM_OST_ALL). We provide an assessment of recent improvements to the accuracy of the 25-year SSH time series via mass budget closure and tide gauge comparisons, describe continuing calibration/validation activities, and evaluate the subsequent impact on current global and regional mean sea level estimates.