REAPER

Reprocessing 12 Years of ERS-1 and ERS-2 Altimeters and Microwave Radiometer Data

Journal article (2017)

Authors

David J. Brockley University College London
Steven Baker University College London
Sergei Rudenko Technische Universität München, Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences
Remko Scharroo Altimetrics LLC, European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites
P.N.A.M. Visser Astrodynamics & Space Missions - Aerospace Engineering
Pierre Femenias European Space Agency (ESA)
Bernat Martinez IsardSAT
Franz Heinrich Massmann Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences
M. Otten European Space Agency (ESA)
Frederic Paul Ifremer
Bruno Picard Collecte Localisation Satellites
Pierre Prandi Collecte Localisation Satellites
Monica Roca IsardSAT
Research Group
Astrodynamics & Space Missions (Aerospace Engineering) (TU Delft)
Altimetry Calibration Europe Satellites Orbits Erbium Microwave radiometry European remote sensing (ERS) Microwave radiometer (MWR).
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Published Date

2017

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Aerospace Engineering

Department

Space Engineering

Research Group

Astrodynamics & Space Missions

Abstract

Twelve years (1991-2003) of ERS-1 and ERS-2 altimetry data have been reprocessed within the European Space Agency (ESA) reprocessing altimeter products for ERS (REAPER) project using an updated, modern set of algorithms and auxiliary models. The reprocessed data set (identified as RP01) has been cross-calibrated against the reprocessed ENVISAT V2.1 data. The format of this reprocessed data set is network common data form (version 3). The new data set shows a clear improvement in data quality beyond that of previous releases. The product validation shows reduction of the mean standard deviation of the sea-surface height differences from 8.1 (previously available product) to 6.7 cm (RP01). This paper presents the details of how the reprocessing was conducted and shows selected results from the validation and quality-assurance processes. The major improvements of the REAPER RP01 data set with respect to the previous ESA ERS radar altimetry (RA) products are due to the use of four ENVISAT RA-2 retrackers, RA calibration improvements, new reprocessed precise orbit solutions, ECMWF ERA-interim model for meteorological corrections, new ionospheric corrections, and new sea state. The intent of this paper is to aid the reader in understanding the benefits of the new data set for their particular use-case.

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