Title :
WITTEX: an innovative three-satellite radar altimeter concept
Author :
Raney, R. Keith ; Porter, David L.
Author_Institution :
Appl. Phys. Lab., Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD, USA
fDate :
11/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
The Water Inclination Topography and Technology Experiment (WITTEX) consists of three TOPEX-class radar altimeters on individual satellites in the same orbit plane. If built with delay-Doppler radar altimeter technology, the WITTEX satellites will be sufficiently small that all three can be launched simultaneously by one vehicle. Even though the WITTEX satellites will be in a common inertial orbit plane, Earth rotation separates their tracks at nadir. Cross-track separation will be proportional to intersatellite spacing. WITTEX will provide near-simultaneous and accurate measurement of sea surface heights along three parallel tracks, providing oceanographic data not previously available, including the two-dimensional (2-D) surface gradient. WITTEX offers a variety of beneficial solutions to the classic time/space sampling tradeoff that confronts oceanic radar altimetry
Keywords :
artificial satellites; radar altimetry; remote sensing by radar; spaceborne radar; 2D surface gradient; TOPEX-class radar altimeters; WITTEX satellites; Water Inclination Topography and Technology Experiment; cross-track separation; delay-Doppler radar altimeter technology; geostrophic current; ocean topography; oceanic radar altimetry; oceanographic data; sea surface heights; three-satellite radar altimeter; Delay; Earth; Extraterrestrial measurements; Radar tracking; Satellites; Sea measurements; Sea surface; Surface topography; Two dimensional displays; Vehicles;
Journal_Title :
Geoscience and Remote Sensing, IEEE Transactions on
