THE ENVISAT RADAR ALTIMETER SYSTEM (RA-2)

The mission RA-2 has an essential role to play in the Envisat mission, as indicated in Table 1. Operating over oceans, its data can be used to monitor seasurface topography, thereby supporting research into ocean circulation and sea-level change, as well as providing observations of the sea floor structure or shape, and marine geoid characteristics. It will also be possible to determine near-sea-surface wind speeds and significant wave heights, data that are important for both weather and sea-state forecasting. RA-2 will also be able to map and monitor sea ice and polar ice sheets, allowing the energy/mass balances of the world’s major ice sheets, including the Antarctic, to be better determined.