RA-2
(Radar Altimeter 2)

The Radar Altimeter 2 (RA-2) is an instrument for determining the two-way delay of the radar echo from the Earth's surface to a very high precision: less than a nanosecond. It also measures the power and the shape of the reflected radar pulses.

Operating over oceans, its measurements are used to determine the ocean topography, thus supporting the research of ocean circulation, bathymetry and marine geoid characteristics. Furthermore, the RA-2 is able to map and monitor sea ice, polar ice sheets, and most land surfaces. Measurement of the radar echo power and shape enables the determination of wind speed and significant wave height at sea, thus supporting weather and sea state forecasting.

• animations
  • RA-2 Ocean Operation
    
• pictures of hardware
  • RA-2 EM Antenna
  • RA-2 Electronics Hardware
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Keywords: ESA European Space Agency - Agence spatiale europeenne, observation de la terre, earth observation, satellite remote sensing, teledetection, geophysique, altimetrie, radar, chimique atmospherique, geophysics, altimetry, radar, atmospheric chemistry