Overview of the TOPEX/Poseidon Platform Harvest verification experiment

Morris, C. S.; Dinardo, S. J.; Christensen, E. J.

doi:10.1080/15210609509379740

Cited by 13 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Finally, the platform is located in proximity to important tracking stations in California and the western United States, data from which contribute to measuring the geocentric positions of the altimeter satellites and platform through space-based surveying techniques. Recognizing this potential, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) reached an agreement in March 1991 to use Harvest, owned then by Texaco U.S.A., as the primary NASA calibration site for the TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) mission Morris et al 1995;Haines et al 2003). A companion site was identified by the French Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) on the Mediterranean islet of Lampione (Ménard et al 1994), and the 10-d repeating T/P orbit was designed to bring the satellite directly over both locations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Harvest Experiment: Calibration of the Climate Data Record from TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1 and the Ocean Surface Topography Mission

Haines

Desai

Born³

2010

Marine Geodesy

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We present a 17-year calibration record of precise (Jason-class) spaceborne altimetry from a California offshore oil platform (Harvest). Our analyses indicate that the sea-surface-height (SSH) biases for all three TOPEX/Poseidon (1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005) measurement systems are statistically indistinguishable from zero at the 15 mm level. In contrast, the SSH bias estimates for the newer Jason-1 mission (2001-present) and the Ocean Surface Topography Mission (2008-present) are significantly positive. In orbit for over eight years, the Jason-1 measurement system yields SSH biased by +94 ± 15 mm. Its successor, OSTM/Jason-2, produces SSH measurements biased by +178 ± 16 mm.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Harvest Experiment: Calibration of the Climate Data Record from TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1 and the Ocean Surface Topography Mission

Haines

Desai

Born³

2010

Marine Geodesy

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“…In March 1991, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Texaco USA, Inc. and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) permitting the installation of in situ instru-ments at Harvest. For a more complete description of the instrumentation at the platform, see Morris et al [1994].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Calibration of TOPEX/POSEIDON at Platform Harvest

Christensen¹,

Haines²,

Keihm³

et al. 1994

J. Geophys. Res.

106

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We present estimates for the mean bias of the TOPEX/POSEIDON NASA altimeter (ALT) and the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales altimeter (SSALT) using in situ data gathered at Platform Harvest during the first 36 cycles of the mission. Data for 21 overflights of the ALT and six overflights of the SSALT have been analyzed. The analysis includes an independent assessment of in situ measurements of sea level, the radial component of the orbit, wet tropospheric path delay, and ionospheric path delay. (The sign convention used in this paper is such that, to correct the geophysical data record values for sea level, add the bias algebraically. Unless otherwise stated, the uncertainty in a given parameter is depicted by ±σx, where σx is the sample standard deviation of x about the mean.) Tide gauges at Harvest provide estimates of sea level with an uncertainty of ±1.5 cm. The uncertainty in the radial component of the orbit is estimated to be ±1.3 cm. In situ measurements of tropospheric path delay at Harvest compare to within ±1.3 cm of the TOPEX/POSEIDON microwave radiometer, and in situ measurements of the ionospheric path delay compare to within −0.4±0.7 cm of the dual‐frequency ALT and 1.1±0.6 cm of Doppler orbitography and radiopositioning integrated by satellite. We obtain mean bias estimates of −14.5±2.9 cm for the ALT and +0.9±3.1 cm for the SSALT (where the uncertainties are based on the standard deviation of the estimated mean σx–/y , which is derived from sample statistics and estimates for errors that cannot be observed). These results are consistent with independent estimates for the relative bias between the two altimeters. A linear regression applied to the complete set of data shows that there is a discernable secular trend in the time series for the ALT bias estimates. A preliminary analysis of data obtained through cycle 48 suggests that the apparent secular drift may be the result of a poorly sampled annual signal.

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“…PLATFORM HARVEST VERTICAL SURVEY Figure 1 found in Morris et al (1995) conceptually describes the purpose for the vertical survey. The key elevation point on the platform is the GPS reference point.…”

Section: Appendix Amentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Modifications to the standard configuration described in the following sections were due to the requirement for installing instrumentation for long-term operation in the offshore oil platform and offshore marine environment. A general description of the configuration of Platform Harvest is given by Morris et al (1995). Access to the sensors and risers is at the +20 level, which is an open exposed system of catwalks nearest to sea level.…”

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confidence: 99%