COPERNICUS SENTINEL MISSION ADVISORY GROUPS
DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION
17 JULY 2024 – 11 SEPTEMBER 2024 – 12:00 hrs noon (CEST)
Submit your application for the Copernicus CRISTAL Mission here – [CLOSED]
In order to submit your application, you need to be a registered user. To register or to log in to the site, please go to the Menu in the top left corner. Note that the last uploaded version of your application file (short CV and accompanying statement) to this Group membership application will replace any previously uploaded file on this system, and will be used by ESA for membership evaluation.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CALL RESULTS
We shall evaluate all applications in October 2024.
COPERNICUS SENTINEL MISSIONS OVERVIEW
Copernicus has been established to fulfil the growing need amongst European policy-makers to access accurate and timely information services to better manage the environment, understand and mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure civil security. To ensure the operational provision of Earth-observation data, the Copernicus Space Component (CSC) currently includes a series of seven first generation ‘Sentinel’ space missions, some of which are being developed by ESA and in some instances in conjunction with EUMETSAT on behalf of EU, specifically for Copernicus. Eight first-generation Sentinel satellites have entered operational service, with the remainder planned for launch in the coming years.
Two distinct sets of expectations have emerged from the Copernicus user consultation process. One set of requirements captures the need for stability and continuity, while increasing the quantity and quality of existing CSC products and services. These continuity needs are to be addressed by the Next Generation (NG) of the current Sentinels, through provision of enhanced continuity in observations made by the first-generation Sentinels 1 to 6. Emerging and urgent needs for new types of observations constitute a second distinct set of requirements. These new needs are mainly addressed by the timely addition of the Expansion Sentinels to the existing Copernicus Sentinel fleet. Both sets of expectations are being addressed by ESA as the CSC System Evolution Architect in response to the Copernicus User needs.
The Copernicus Polar Ice and Snow Topography Altimeter (CRISTAL) mission is one of six Copernicus Sentinel Expansion Missions currently being implemented by the European Space Agency and the European Commission. CRISTAL’s main instrument is a dual-frequency (Ku-band and Ka-band) radar altimeter, providing measurements of sea ice and its snow load, land ice elevation and change, as well as inland water levels, ocean topography, and sea state. CRISTAL is the only operational radar altimeter specifically designed for the cryosphere. Its orbit covers up to 88° latitude, ensuring almost complete coverage of the polar regions. The mission supports the development, implementation, and monitoring of the European Integrated Policy for the Arctic, which is rapidly changing due to climate change and Arctic amplification. The mission is currently at the start of Phase D, having completed the Critical Design Review in July 2024.
This call for membership of the CRISTAL Mission Advisory Group (MAG) seeks members to advise ESA on the development and commissioning of the mission during Phases D and E1. Members of the MAG are expected to play an active role in advising on multiple aspects, such as compliance of the mission with Copernicus Service and Copernicus User needs, algorithm refinement, other science support and exploitation activities, and planning of campaigns to support mission development and for calibration and validation purposes.
The term of MAG tenure extends from the start of Phase D into the commissioning Phase E1. Group membership and Terms of Reference will be reviewed at the In-Orbit Commissioning Review (IOCR) during Phase E1, to assess the scope and need for further MAG advice.
Copernicus polaR Ice and Snow Topography ALtimeter (CRISTAL)
The Copernicus CRISTAL mission is designed to monitor and measure changes in the Earth’s cryosphere, specifically the thickness of sea ice, the overlying snow, and the elevation of land ice. The primary measurement principle involves dual-frequency radar altimetry, utilizing both Ku and Ka bands. The inclusion of the Ka band allows the measurement of snow depth on top of the ice, thereby improving the accuracy of ice thickness measurements and offering better insights into the processes affecting polar ice coverage and global sea levels. The mission also includes the AMR-CR microwave radiometer provided by NASA-JPL for accurate estimation of the wet tropospheric path delay and to aid ice and snow classification.
CRISTAL aims to enhance the understanding of cryosphere dynamics, contribute to climate change research, and support operational ice services. By continuing and operationalizing the observations initiated by the ESA Explorer CryoSat mission, CRISTAL ensures long-term data continuity for climate monitoring and forecasting. The mission also contributes observations of ocean topography and sea state up to the polar seas, as well as global observations of inland water levels.
USEFUL RESOURCES
