Jason-2 Validation Test Report (VTR): Validation of Sea Surface Height Anomaly Precision and Accuracy for Mesoscale Applications
Abstract
The Jason-2 satellite altimeter was launched on June 20, 2008. The mission is a joint NASA / NOAA / CNES / EUMETSAT project that will transition altimeter satellite observations to operational status. Initial data began to be released in July 2008 and contain the information necessary to construct sea surface height anomaly (SSHA) observations from a long term mean. To apply the Jason-2 observations within ocean environment models, the data must meet precision and accuracy requirements. The source for the requirements is taken to be the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Integrated Operational Requirements Document II (IORD-II), which contains threshold and objective requirements for SSH observations for both the Department of Defense and Department of Commerce. The accuracy and precision of the Jason-2 satellite data meet the IORD-II thresholds for Mesoscale observations through comparisons to the Jason-1 data, comparisons of the Jason-2 data at ground track cross-over points as well as high pass noise floor evaluations. For the DoD Basin scale requirements, the Jason-2 satellite meets thresholds as well as the Jason-1 satellite.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 07, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA522835
Entities
People
- C. Barron
- D. May
- Gregg Jacobs
- L. Russell
- R. Broome
- R. Leben
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory