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.
Client: European Space Agency
Project owner: National Research Council of Italy