Next Generation Altimeter Service

The Radar Altimeter Database System RADS was launched by DEOS in 2001 as a precursor to an operational observing system as envisaged by the upcoming International Altimetry Service IAS. It is a facility to easily manage and access calibrated and validated altimeter data with consistency as common denominator. Whenever new data, models or knowledge arrive, the system is updated. We have now over 20 years worth of valuable sea level, wave and wind data suited for science, operations and commercial activities. Data and background information can be obtained through the web portal http://rads.tudelft.nl. This paper highlights some of the historic achievements of RADS and challenges to reach the next generation of altimeter service. The latest development foresees a complete revision to gain in efficiency and accessibility not only for the expert user but also for the new user. We go from RADS V2 to V3 and include the widely in the ocean and atmospheric community accepted and used NetCDF format, which allows for a much larger database including the incorporation of high frequency data (10, 18 or 20Hz data). At the same time allowing users to use standard tools for extraction and processing and to develop own tools. It resolves also some of the practical data organization shortcomings in RADS V2.