CryoSat-2

Question 1

Type of geospatial technology

Answer 1

Remote Sensing

Question 2

Date of implementation

Answer 2

Launched 8 April, 2010

Question 3

Organisation responsible

Answer 3

European Space Agency (ESA)

Question 4

Purpose

Answer 4

To measure the thickness and monitor the changes in polar ice (sea ice and ice sheets).

Question 5

Aims

Answer 5

• Measure sea ice thickness and freeboard (height above water). • Monitor changes in Greenland and Antarctic ice sheet elevation. • Determine how polar ice loss contributes to global sea level rise. • Provide long term, accurate datasets to improve climate modelling.

Question 6

Technology (how it works)

Answer 6

CryoSat 2 uses a specialised radar instrument called SIRAL (SAR Interferometric Radar Altimeter), which: • Sends radar pulses to the ice surface and measures the return signal to calculate surface elevation. Calculates ice thickness by comparing sea ice height to ocean height.

Question 7

Strengths

Answer 7

• High accuracy • Wide polar coverage: • Specialised for ice • Supports climate science

Question 8

Limitations

Answer 8

• Cannot measure all ice types equally well • Radar penetration issues • Requires complex processing

Question 9

Ice loss assessment strategies

Answer 9

• Measuring elevation & thickness • Tracking changes over time • Monitoring glacier edges

Question 10

Ice loss management capabilities

Answer 10

• Supporting climate models • Informing management