Abstract
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.
Acknowledgements
The research leading to these results has received funding from the the EU's seventh framework programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement No 229885. Dr. Bruce Haines at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA (USA) and Dr. Pascal Bonnefond at the Geosciences, Observatoire de la Cote d’Azur - Geosciences Azur, France, are thanked for their help and support.