CryoSat-2: the ground truth
CryoSat is ESA’s first mission dedicated to monitoring Earth’s ice fields. With the effects of climate change fast becoming apparent, especially in the polar regions, it is important to understand exactly how Earth’s ice is responding.
CryoSat carries a sophisticated instrument called Synthetic Aperture Interferometric Radar Altimeter (SIRAL). Previous radar altimeters have been optimised for operations over the ocean and land, but SIRAL is the first sensor of its kind designed for ice. However, the success of the mission, in part, relies on ground-truth measurements taken out in the field. These validation activities ensure the data delivered by the CryoSat mission is accurate.
Credits: ESA TV, 2010 - Images and animations : ESA-NASA, Cryo Vex Campaign, EADS Astrium
