CEOS EO HANDBOOK – INSTRUMENT SUMMARY - AltiKa -
Full Name Ka-band Altimeter Status Operational
Instrument Agencies CNES Maturity
Instrument Type Radar altimeters Geometry Nadir-viewing
Instrument Technology Radar altimeter Sampling Other
Data Access Constrained Access Data Format
Measurements and Applications Sea surface height.
Resolution Summary
Swath Summary
Accuracy Summary
Waveband Summary 35.5 - 36 GHz, passive channels (radiometer): 24 (K-band) and 37 (Ka-band) GHz; active radar altimeter: 35 GHz (Ka-band)
MW (~0.1 cm - ~100 cm)
Ka-Band (26.5 to 40 GHz)
K-Band (18 to 26.5 GHz)
Instrument Measurements
Measurements Overview
CategoryParameter
Atmospheric Humidity FieldsAtmospheric specific humidity (TC)
Ocean surface windsWind speed over sea surface (horizontal)
Ocean topography/currentsSea level
Ocean wave height and spectrumSignificant wave height
Thematic Links Global Climate Observing System Essential Climate Variables (GCOS ECVs)
ECVDescriptionProduct(s)ECV Inventory 3.0 Record(s)
Sea Level click here click here Record ID: 11157
Record ID: 11156
Record ID: 11155
Mono-mission along-track Corrected Sea S...
SARAL/AltiKa Geophysical Data Record (GD...
find more ECV Inventory records
Sea State click here click here Record ID: 11160
SARAL/AltiKa Geophysical Data Record (GD...
Water Vapour (upper air) click here click here SARAL/AltiKa Geophysical Data Record (GD...
Instrument Missions
SARAL - Satellite with ARgos and ALtiKa (2013 - 2023)