Lessons from the SEASAT and GEOS-3 altimeters data projects

Project timeline and priorities, algorithm, and science aspects of the SEASAT mission relevant to ERS-1 (ESA) are discussed. The most important lessons for ERS-1 planning are the need to have data handling and reduction procedures ready ahead of time and the need for an intensive algorithm validation and engineering assessment period during the early part of the mission. Results from SEASAT indicate that ERS-1 will have the capability of producting useful scientific data if it can match or exceed the SEASAT accuracy level.