About the Polar+ Snow on Sea Ice Project

Polar+ Snow on Sea Ice is part of ESA's Scientific Data Exploitation element of the Earth Observation Envelope Program (EOEP-5). The Scientific Data Exploitation element aims at responding to the needs of the EO and Earth system science communities in terms of innovative methods, novel products, open science tools and new Earth science results.

sea ice areas polar map

Study Objectives

In building mainly on the synergies between ground-based / airborne data ( including ESA CryoVex campaigns), multi-band altimetric missions ( including CryoSat, ICESat1&2, and Saral-Altika) and models, the main objectives of the 'Polar+ Snow on Sea Ice' activity are :

To better understand, quantify and document the snow depth penetration from laser, Ka and Ku band radar altimetry measurements function of the snow characteristics (density, temperature, salinity)
Collect, analyse and exploit the most extensive multi-source in-situ and airborne datasets from Arctic campaigns as well as existing long-term observations in order to confirm information content at each frequency and document validity and robustness of altimetry-based freeboard and snow depth products
Generate improved multi-sensor snow depth products over the Arctic sea ice for :
- Altimtry-based sea ice freeboard and thickness computation
- Climate applications both related to the Cryosphere and the Polar Ocean thermohaline circulations
Demonstrate the scientific impact of the generated product through a number of scientific studies focusing on major science questions in Arctic research where the snow on sea ice information may provide a novel contribution to science and open the door to potential future applications.
Develop a scientific roadmap providing recommendations to ESA to futher advance in the use of EO technology and satellite missions to address the main knowledge gaps and scientific challenges associated with snow on sea ice.