In-Orbit Calibration and Validation of HY-2B Altimeter using an Improved Transponder

HY-2B (Haiyang) is the follow-on mission to HY-2A, which is the Chinese first sea satellite for oceanography. This paper describes the in-orbit calibration and validation of HY-2B altimeter by utilizing an improved transponder. It has some advantages over the HY-2A one. The calibration campaign has been carrying out from April this year. The altimetry calibration precision of better than 1 cm has been achieved. And a comparison between HY-2B and Jason3 was done in term of SSH (Sea Surface Height). The result shows high degree of consistency through all the cross track points since April to September this year.