AbstractThe TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1 and Jason-2 set of altimeter data now provide a time series of synoptic observations of the ocean that span nearly 17years from the launch of TOPEX in 1992. The analysis of the altimeter data including the use of altimetry to monitor the global change in mean sea level requires a stable, accurate, and consistent orbit reference over the entire time span. In this paper, we describe the recomputation of a time series of orbits that rely on a consistent set of reference frames and geophysical models. The recomputed orbits adhere to the IERS 2003 standards for ocean and earth tides, use updates to the ITRF2005 reference frame for both the SLR and DORIS stations, apply GRACE-derived models for modeling of the static and time-variable gravity, implement the University College London (UCL) radiation pressure model for Jason-1, use improved troposphere modeling for the DORIS data, and apply the GOT4.7 ocean tide model for both dynamical ocean tide modeling and for ocean loading. The new TOPEX orbits have a mean SLR fit of 1.79cm compared to 2.21cm for the MGDR-B orbits. These new TOPEX orbits agree radially with independent SLR/crossover orbits at 0.70cm RMS, and the orbit accuracy is estimated at 1.5–2.0cm RMS over the entire TOPEX time series. The recomputed Jason-1 orbits agree radially with the Jason-1 GDR-C orbits at 1.08cm RMS. The GSFC SLR/DORIS dynamic and reduced-dynamic orbits for Jason-2 agree radially with independent orbits from the CNES and JPL at 0.70–1.06cm RMS. Applying these new orbits, and using the latest altimeter corrections for TOPEX, Jason-1, and Jason-2 from September 1992 to May 2009, we find a global rate in mean sea level of 3.0±0.4mm/yr.


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    Title :

    Towards development of a consistent orbit series for TOPEX, Jason-1, and Jason-2


    Contributors:
    Lemoine, F.G. (author) / Zelensky, N.P. (author) / Chinn, D.S. (author) / Pavlis, D.E. (author) / Rowlands, D.D. (author) / Beckley, B.D. (author) / Luthcke, S.B. (author) / Willis, P. (author) / Ziebart, M. (author) / Sibthorpe, A. (author)

    Published in:

    Advances in Space Research ; 46 , 12 ; 1513-1540


    Publication date :

    2010-05-07


    Size :

    28 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




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