Independent DEM of Antarctica Using GNSS-R Data From TechDemoSat-1

Abstract

The first digital elevation model (DEM) of the Antarctic ice sheet derived from Global Navigation Satellite Systems-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) data from the UK TechDemoSat-1 satellite is presented. This is obtained using 32 months of data from the mission. This opportunistic and inexpensive method is shown to produce encouraging results from the technology demonstration platform of TechDemoSat-1, with median bias under 18 m and root-mean-square difference under 91 m when compared to the CryoSat-2 1-km DEM v1.0. Discrepancies between the two data sets are explored along with possible causes of such differences and potential improvements to further optimize this technique for future GNSS-R missions.