ENVISAT RA-2/MWR cross-calibration and validation final results

ESA launched its environmental research satellite, ENVISAT, on 1 March 2002. It carries a suite of 10 instruments offering opportunities for a broad range of scientific research and applications. In particular, ENVISAT carries a radar altimeter (RA-2), a microwave radiometer (MWR), and a precise tracking system (DORIS). The evaluation of the quality of the ENVISAT altimetry geophysical data products and the cross-calibration on ERS-2 and other flying altimeters has been performed during the commissioning phase within a team of scientists drawn up from the pre-launch announcement of opportunity. The results obtained from this teamwork are presented here.