An automatic algorithm for slope estimation from repeat tracks of ICESat/GLAS

In this paper, slope estimation model and algorithms were advanced using the repeat ground track data collected from the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) on board the Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat). Innovative steps of the algorithm are to prove and confirm the reference starting point (RSF) on reference track (RT) and the corresponding starting point (CSF) on other repeat corresponding track (CT). The slopes model and algorithms were validated by the ground track 100 data which were collected from ICESat/GLAS passing over the Beijing area during 2003-2009. The slopes drawing on the geographic map were coincidence with the geography facts compared with image obtained from Google map.