Satellite radar altimetry

Author

Davis, Curt H.

Author_Institution

Radar Syst. & Remote Lab., Kansas Univ., Lawrence, KS, USA

Volume

40

Issue

6

fYear

1992

fDate

6/1/1992 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1070

Lastpage

1076

Abstract

A brief review of the historical development and principles of satellite radar altimetry is presented, with special emphasis on the unique capability of the microwave altimeter to provide valuable information for global geoscientific studies. Altimeter data over the ocean are used to monitor mean sea levels, wave height, wind speeds, and surface topographical features. Over the ice sheets, the altimeter data are used to produce surface elevation maps, while repeated measurements are used to monitor volume changes. The success of earlier altimeter mission has promoted the development of future missions that will provide more accurate data sets

Keywords

atmospheric techniques; geodesy; geophysical techniques; glaciology; oceanographic techniques; radioaltimeters; remote sensing by radar; altimeter data; atmosphere; geodesy; global geoscientific studies; historical development; ice sheets; mean sea levels; measurement technique; microwave altimeter; ocean wave; remote sensing; review; satellite radar altimetry; surface elevation maps; surface topographical features; volume changes; wave height; wind speeds; Altimetry; Monitoring; Oceans; Satellites; Sea level; Sea surface; Spaceborne radar; Surface topography; Surface waves; Wind speed;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Microwave Theory and Techniques, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9480

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/22.141337

Filename

141337