Publication Date:
2019-07-13
Description:
The SKYLAB-193 radar altimeter was operated nearly continuously around the world on January 31, 1974. This direct measurement of the sea surface topography provided an independent basis for the evaluation of global geoids computed from satellite derived gravity models. The differences between the altimeter geoid and the satellite geoids were as large as 25 meters with rms values ranging from 8 to 10 meters. These differences also indicated a systematic long wavelength variation (approximately 100 deg) not related to error in the SKYLAB orbits. Truncation of the models to degree and order eight did not eliminate the long wavelength variation, but in every case the rms agreement between satellite and altimeter geoids was improved. Orbits computed with the truncated models were in contrast found to be inferior to those computed using the complete models.
Keywords:
EARTH RESOURCES AND REMOTE SENSING
Type:
NASA-TM-X-70985
,
X-921-75-176
,
Ann. Meeting of the Am. Geophysical Union; Jun 16, 1975 - Jun 20, 1975; Washington, D. C.; United States
Format:
application/pdf
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