The Ocean Surface Topography Science Team Meeting (OSTST) offers a unique opportunity to assess the performance of satellite altimetry constellations and to provide a forum for discussing user requirements for future systems.

Experts from around the world will gather to discuss the performance of current satellite altimetry constellations, as well as the use and exchange of information regarding all current, past, and future altimeter missions. While most applications focus on the open oceans, there will also be a focus on coastal areas, polar seas, and inland waters.

Furthermore, following the successful launch of the Copernicus satellite Sentinel-6B in November 2025, this OSTST session will place a strong emphasis on the status of the mission’s commissioning and activities. Therefore, it will take place alongside sessions dedicated to the Sentinel-6B validation team and the international DORIS service, during which the teams will report on the results of the satellite’s commissioning.

The session is open to international partners, global users of Copernicus altimeter data—such as from Jason-3, Sentinel-3, and Sentinel-6—users of altimeter data from other space agencies—such as CryoSat-2, SARAL/AltiKa, SWOT, and HY-2—as well as altimetry specialists from EUMETSAT, ESA, NASA, NOAA, CNES, ISRO, etc., and those working on future altimetry missions.