Abstract's details
CRISTAL Mission Status
CoAuthors
Event: 2023 Ocean Surface Topography Science Team Meeting
Session: OSTST Opening Plenary Session
Presentation type: Type Oral
Contribution: PDF file
Abstract:
Within the expansion of the European Copernicus Sentinel Constellation, the Copernicus polaR Ice and Snow Topography Altimeter (CRISTAL) mission is being developed in response to the need for operational monitoring of the polar regions. CRISTAL will fly to 88° latitude ensuring an almost complete coverage of the Arctic Ocean, as well as of the Antarctic ice sheet (like CryoSat-2, which is currently in its extended mission phase).
CRISTAL’s primary objective is to monitor the cryosphere (sea ice and its snow loading, land ice including glaciers) but the novel altimeter on board, called IRIS (Interferometric Radar Altimeter for Ice and Snow), is also expected to contribute significantly to oceanography and hydrology. The IRIS dual-frequency Ku/Ka band SAR altimeter, which is interferometric on the Ku channel, is the first instrument of this kind in space, and is expected to enable enhanced measurement capabilities.
CRISTAL’s payload will also include the Advanced Microwave Radiometer (AMR-CR), an evolution of the AMR-C developed by NASA-JPL for the Copernicus Sentinel-6 mission, with the additional HRMR subsystem providing high-resolution measurements. Collaboration has started with NASA-JPL to coordinate synergistic science activities and campaigns.
CRISTAL is currently in Phase C of development. In this contribution we will present the mission status and latest ESA developments and science support activities. Moreover, we will discuss the status and development plans for the CRISTAL Marine Data Centre, that is entrusted to EUMETSAT.
CRISTAL’s primary objective is to monitor the cryosphere (sea ice and its snow loading, land ice including glaciers) but the novel altimeter on board, called IRIS (Interferometric Radar Altimeter for Ice and Snow), is also expected to contribute significantly to oceanography and hydrology. The IRIS dual-frequency Ku/Ka band SAR altimeter, which is interferometric on the Ku channel, is the first instrument of this kind in space, and is expected to enable enhanced measurement capabilities.
CRISTAL’s payload will also include the Advanced Microwave Radiometer (AMR-CR), an evolution of the AMR-C developed by NASA-JPL for the Copernicus Sentinel-6 mission, with the additional HRMR subsystem providing high-resolution measurements. Collaboration has started with NASA-JPL to coordinate synergistic science activities and campaigns.
CRISTAL is currently in Phase C of development. In this contribution we will present the mission status and latest ESA developments and science support activities. Moreover, we will discuss the status and development plans for the CRISTAL Marine Data Centre, that is entrusted to EUMETSAT.