Just-in-time altimetry: international collaboration in provision of altimetry datasets

Environmental research requires access to quality
controlled, calibrated data. Satellite altimeter data are
used in a range of environmental research, including
oceanography, ice and land surface studies. Users who
are not altimeter specialists may not be aware of, or
have access to, the latest updates and most appropriate
corrections to use for their application.
We propose a GRID based methodology to give all
users access to the best possible altimeter data product
at the time of the request, tailor made for their specific
application. A data portal system would be based on a
"Network of Trust" consisting of the data providers and
a certificating authority. Data could be served through a
fully interactive web 'front-end' or directly from within
analysis programmes.
This system would build on the experiences gained in
combining two existing Altimeter Data services (GAPS
and RADS) to produce a coherent data service with
alternative web interfaces and configurable users access.