Satellite altimetry applications to geodesy, oceanography and geophysics

Satellite altimetry offers significant potential for many applications in geodesy and oceanography. The Skylab altimeter experiment was the first of a series (GEOS-C, 1975; SEASAT, 1978, 1980; etc.) planned by NASA for launch over the next decade. One goal of satellite altimetry is to determine the geoid (mean sea level) over the oceans to ±10 cm accuracy. Battelle´s responsibility in the Skylab altimetry program is to develop a technique for calibration and evaluation of the altimetry data to determine the geoid. Although the Skylab altimeter instrument accuracy is about ±1 m, significant results have been obtained in identification of large geoidal features such as over the Puerto Rican trench. Comparison of the results of several passes appears to indicate that the altimeter is capable of sensing more details in geoid variations than are presently available from other techniques. Review of techniques developed for recovery of the gravity anomaly from satellite altimetry and the potential applications of results to oceanography, geodesy and geophysics are discussed.