  Wind tunnel measurements of the mean saltation length $L$ and of different
proxies of the mean saltation height $H$ in saturated aeolian sand transport
indicate that $L$ and $H$ are relatively insensitive to both the wind speed and
grain diameter $d$. The latter result is currently unexplained and contradicts
the theoretical prediction $L\propto H\propto d$. This prediction is based on
the assumption that the characteristic velocity $\sqrt{\tilde gd}$ of bed
grains ejected by the splash of an impacting grain controls the average
saltation kinematics. Here, we show that a recent analytical saltation model
that considers only rebounds of saltating grains, but neglects splash ejection,
is consistent with the measurements. The model suggests that the buffer layer
of the inner turbulent boundary layer, which connects the viscous sublayer with
the log-layer, is partially responsible for the insensitivity of $L$ and $H$ to
$d$. In combination, the measurements and model therefore indicate that splash
ejection, though important to sustain saltation, does not significantly affect
the average saltation kinematics. This finding represents a strong argument
against the Ungar and Haff (1987)-scaling and in favor of the Dur\'an et al.
(2011)-scaling of the saturated saltation mass flux, with implications for
ripple formation on Mars. Furthermore, it supports the recent controversial
claim that this flux is insensitive to soil cohesion.
