CRISTAL Polar Ice and Snow Altimeter (ESA)
CRISTAL will carry the first dual-frequency radar altimeter to measure polar sea-ice thickness and the snow on top, following ESA's CryoSat (ESA).
Image: NASA (ISS070-E-086805, Feb. 3, 2024).
Last reviewed: 4 sources cited
Explain Like I'm 10
- CRISTAL is a satellite that will measure how thick the polar sea ice is.
- It will also measure how deep the snow is on top of the ice.
- It carries on the work of the CryoSat satellite.
The Five W's of CRISTAL
Who
The European Space Agency (ESA), for Copernicus. Airbus builds the satellite; Thales Alenia Space builds the IRIS Measuring the height of the sea or land from space by timing how long a radar or laser pulse takes to bounce back. Glossary; NASA JPL provides the radiometer.
Source: ESA, CRISTAL prepares to sparkle
What
Two identical satellites with a Ku- and Ka-band A tool that sends out radio waves and listens for the echoes. From space it can see the ground through clouds, day or night. Glossary altimeter and a microwave radiometer. CRISTAL-B will replace CRISTAL-A.
Source: ESA, CRISTAL prepares to sparkle
When
ESA's Sentinel Users Preparation site says launch is scheduled for 2028. An earlier ESA update said CRISTAL-A would be ready to launch in the second half of 2027.
Where
Over the polar regions, also measuring ice sheets, glaciers, oceans, rivers and lakes worldwide.
Why
It continues the radar record of ice height after CryoSat and fills observation gaps in the polar regions.
Connected Solutions
- CryoSat Ice Mission (ESA) CRISTAL's predecessor, in orbit since 2010.
- CIMR Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer (ESA) Will map sea ice and ocean temperature every day.
Impact Statement
Agency solution · in development
CRISTAL will monitor sea-ice thickness and overlying snow depth, and changes in the height of ice sheets and glaciers worldwide (ESA).
Source: ESA Sentinel Users Preparation, CRISTAL
For Further Information: ESA Sentinel Users Preparation, CRISTAL
CRISTAL will be the first polar mission to carry a dual-frequency radar altimeter (ESA).
How This Saves People & the Planet
For People
CRISTAL supports maritime operations and safety in the rapidly changing polar seas (ESA).
Source: ESA Sentinel Users Preparation, CRISTAL
For Nature
Its data help quantify how ice responds to climate change, where effects are most pronounced (ESA).
Learn More About CRISTAL
Want to go deeper? ESA has the full CRISTAL story.
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