@article{PAR00000611,
  title = {{ENVISAT} radar altimeter measurements over continental surfaces and ice caps using the {ICE}-2 retracking algorithm},
  author = {{L}egresy, {B}. and {P}apa, {F}. and {R}emy, {F}. and {V}inay, {G}. and van den {B}osch, {M}. and {Z}anife, {O}. {Z}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}his study presents the first results obtained with the {ENVISAT} satellite radar altimeter {RA}-2 over lands and ice caps. {A}s radar altimetry was firstly devoted to ocean study, this paper starts with a detailed description of the radar altimetry principle over continental surfaces: a general formulation of the radar altimeter echoes according to different surface types is given and the retracking procedure {ICE}-2, specially implemented on the {ENVISAT} satellite ground segment to provide output parameters over continents, is clearly presented. {T}he {ENVISAT} {RA}-2 datasets processed with the {ICE}-2 procedure are then mapped given an overall description of the output parameters over various surfaces. {T}he behaviour of these {ENVISAT} altimetric parameters are analysed and related to main land surface characteristics such as surface/volume echo, specularity, roughness.... {A}part from few unexpected signals which will need to be further investigated, the new {ENVISAT} dataset confirms the potential of inland altimetry and provides a new opportunity to monitor continental surfaces. {T}he {K}u band measurements confirm previous results recently obtained with the altimeters on board {ERS} or {T}opex-{P}oseidon and offer a temporal continuity. {T}he {S} band altimeter measurements are in accordance with theoretical expected ones and confirm previous {T}opex-{P}oseidon observations in {C} band. {T}he {S} band and the use of the dual-frequency thus bring new capabilities for altimetric applications with important deliveries for temporal evolution survey. {F}or instance, {S} band will be used over continents to better detect wetlands located under vegetated areas or to better quantify wave penetration in terrestrial snowpack to accurately retrieve snow depth evolution. {O}ver ice sheets, the dual-frequency {S} and {K}u band waveforms parameters will provide a more accurate height estimation as it will be possible to quantify the error on height measurements induced by snowpack structure change over time. {T}his will then provide a more confident survey of the ice sheets surface topography evolution. {T}he combination and complementarities with the other altimetry missions such as {ERS}, {T}opex-{P}oseidon and {J}ason look already promising and offer a 10-year span dataset for continental altimetry applications. (c) 2005 {E}lsevier {I}nc. {A}ll rights reserved.},
  keywords = {{ENVISAT} ; radar ; altimeter ; ice caps ; continental surfaces},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{R}emote {S}ensing of {E}nvironment},
  volume = {95},
  numero = {2},
  pages = {150--163},
  ISSN = {0034-4257},
  year = {2005},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.rse.2004.11.018},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/{PAR}00000611},
}