Statistical models and latest results in the determination of the absolute bias for the radar altimeters of jason satellites using the gavdos facilityStatistical models and latest results in the determination of the absolute bias for the radar altimeters of jason satellites using the gavdos facility Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2015-11-142010enThe dedicated calibration site for satellite radar altimeters in Gavdos, Greece, has been operational as of 2004. The island of Gavdos is located along a repeating ground track of Jason satellites, adjacent to Envisat, where the altimeter and radiometer do not experience significant land intrusion. In this article, the models and techniques for calculating the satellite altimeter bias, as well as the software tool called “TUCalibrit,” are presented. In summary, over cycles 209–259 for Jason-1 and cycles 1–40 for Jason-2, the altimeter biases have been estimated as B(J1) = +103.6 mm ± 4.7 mm and B(J2) = +181.9 mm ± 6.7 mm, respectively. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Marine Geodesy331114-149 Mertikas Stelios Μερτικας Στελιος Ioannides Rigas Tziavos Ilias N. Vergos Georgios S. Hausleitner W. Frantzis Xenofon Φραντζης Ξενοφων Tripolitsiotis Achilleas Τριπολιτσιωτης Αχιλλεας Partsinevelos Panagiotis Παρτσινεβελος Παναγιωτης Andrikopoulos D. Taylor & Francis Artificial satellites in geodesy satellite geodesy artificial satellites in geodesy