Abstract
We define combinations of dual‐ and single‐satellite crossover differences to isolate both stationary orbit‐geopotential and non‐geopotential errors in altimetry data. Specifically two types of combinations are found useful. While no combination of differences can resolve the full radial error of single or paired satellites, an approximation of the mean or geographically correlated error of the generally dominant lower orbit of a pair can be found from one kind (substitutions). (The variable part of the error is always available from the single‐satellite crossover differences.) A second useful combination type is found to yield no geopotential orbit error (zeros): uniquely, these can reveal errors in altimetry from imperfect media corrections as well as oceanographic changes in sealevel. The later circumstance is particularly important when the missions for a pair of satellites are disparate in time.
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Klokočník, J., Wagner, C.A. Combinations of Satellite Crossovers to Study Orbit and Residual Errors in Altimetry. Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy 74, 231–242 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008397202151
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008397202151