Completed projects

CryoRad

Observing the Earth at low-frequency passive microwave has been a success with the SMOS and SMAP satellites, providing unique data on the ocean, sea ice and land. But no-one has explored even lower frequencies, which should provide more precise sea ice thickness, ocean salinity in cold waters and brand new observations like sea ice salinity or profiles of ice sheets temperature. ESA thus has selected "CryoRad Earth Explorer 12 Phase 0 Science and Requirements Consolidation Study" and 3 other mission concepts among 17 candidates Earth Explorer for an 18-months assessment study phase. Researchers at the Nansen Center will quantify the potential impact of the sea ice thickness, sea ice salinity and ocean surface salinity on the TOPAZ model system.

AOOS

The project "Technologies and collaboration for sustained Arctic Ocean Observing System" aims to draw up an international collaboration agreement for the establishment and operation phase of an Arctic ocean observation system based on in-situ measurement systems, and will contribute to positioning Norway in the management of the system where Norwegian industry is engaged.

URSA MAJOR

Our future civil engineers, ecologists, architects, managers and administrators need knowledge of digital networks, sensors and automated observations for smart and sustainable cities. In the project "Urban sustainability in action: multi-disciplinary approach through jointly organized research schools", these are trained to address practical challenges and local solutions in various cities around the world where climate change has the greatest impact.

ArMOC

Arctic climate is changing rapidly and it is currently unknown what effect these changes have on ocean currents in the region. The project "Overturning circulation in the new Arctic" aims to find out how the ocean currents in the Arctic will change in the future.

IceCastNet

The project "IceCastNet Artificial intelligence based Forecast of Arctic sea ice at high-resolution" aims to deliver high-resolution, AI-based sea ice forecasts for the Arctic at 1km resolution and up to 10 days in advance. It will produce near-real-time forecasts, leveraging machine learning to emulate sea-ice dynamics, enhance model accuracy. The IceCastNet will be demonstrated in operational context and will provide forecast for sea ice drift, concentration and thickness.

SYSTEM STUDY

The objectives of the project "Future Earth Observation System Architecture – System of Systems analyses from a science need perspective" (System Study) are to analyse in detail the measurement requirements of selected science questions, and identifying the extent to which the planned constellation of Earth observations satellites and other measurements in the coming decade can satisfy the needs and requirements. Among the SQ are: How has the ocean carbon cycle responded to anthropogenic CO2 and climate change?; What are the key drivers for the mass balance change in the ice sheet, the ice shelves and the glaciers?; Where and how are the ecosystem undergoing critical transitions?    

Blue-Cloud2026

In the project "A federated European FAIR and Open Research Ecosystem for oceans, seas, costal, and inland waters", an existing cloud platform is to be further developed so that researchers get the best possible access to data and services. The research fields that are supported by the development focus on the sea and other water on the globe.

OTC25

The "Ocean Training Course 2025" is part of the One Ocean Expedition, which is a scientific and educational voyage around the Northern Hemisphere oceans, aboard the tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl, in 2025-2026.  The expedition aims to create attention and share knowledge about the ocean’s crucial role for a sustainable future, as part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art ocean science instruments and will collect data on ocean physics, chemistry and biology throughout the journey. The expedition will also serve as a floating university, bringing students and young leaders together, and as a platform for outreach, inspiration and engagement for the ocean.   

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