AltiKa: a Ka-band altimetry payload and system for operational altimetry during the GMES period

P. Vincent (1) , N. Steunou (2) , E. Caubet (3) , L. Phalippou , L. Rey , Eric Thouvenot , Jacques Verron (4)

1 IFREMER - Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer
2 CNES - Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse]
3 Alcatel Alenia Space [Cannes]
4 LEGI - Laboratoire des Écoulements Géophysiques et Industriels [Grenoble]

This paper describes the Ka-band altimetry payload and system that has beenstudied for several years by CNES, ALCATEL SPACE and some science laboratories.Altimetry is one of the major elements of the ocean observing system to be madesustainable through the GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems) and GMES(Global Monitoring of the Environment and Security) programs. A short review of somemission objectives to be fulfilled in terms of mesoscale oceanography in the frame of theGEOSS and GMES programs is performed. To answer the corresponding requirements, theapproach consisting in a constellation of nadir altimeter is discussed. A coupled Ka-bandaltimeter-radiometer payload is then described; technical items are detailed to explain howthis payload shall meet the science and operational requirements, and expectedperformances are displayed. The current status of the payload development and flightperspectives are given.

Mots clés: altimeter; radiometer; ocean mesoscale circulation; Ka-band

Domaines: Mécanique des fluides [physics.class-ph]; Mécanique des fluides [physics.class-ph]

P. Vincent, N. Steunou, E. Caubet, L. Phalippou, L. Rey, et al.. AltiKa: a Ka-band altimetry payload and system for operational altimetry during the GMES period. Sensors, 2006, 6, pp.208-234. ⟨10.3390/s6030208⟩. ⟨hal-00230207⟩