Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images
During the ICEMON consolidation phase there have been several uses of SAR images from
ENVISAT.
The Kara Sea have been the focus of most of the sample products. The objective of
the ICEMON expedition to the Kara Sea in the summer of 2003 was to demonstrate
use of satellite images (ENVISAT ASAR radar images, AVHRR NOAA, and TERRA visible images) for
supporting navigation in summer sea ice conditions and collection of in situ data for development
of SAR image interpretation technique.
ENVISAT ASAR images proved to be quite useful for selecting routes in ice, when transmitted
onboard icebreakers in near real-time.
Both satellite images, and ice charts, produced from them, are necessary for ship navigation.
Satellite images provide more details on sea ice conditions that maps. Ice maps are useful, when
navigator meet difficulties in their interpretation.
Use of satellite images and ice maps as layer in the Electronic Navigation ice maps significantly
improves the selection of optimal route in ice.
CryoSat Earth Explorer(due to launch in 2004) validation campaign have one sample
product, from April 1, 2003. The main goal of the CRYOVEX campaign is to quantify the accuracy with which CryoSat's SIRAL
altimeter will be able to track and map sea ice thickness and thickness changes, as well as investigate
methods of improving the CryoSat retrieval results.
Scientists working in the fjords around Svalbard have also received SAR images from met.no and
NERSC. Images have been used for navigation assistance and training of students taking in situ ice measurements.
And the measurements are then used for validation of high resolution ice charts and habitat monitoring.
ENVISAT ASAR Global mode mosaics are now available on the ICEMON website.
Please choose Arctic GM from the area menu below. Full resolution images can be downloaded
from the last four images; click thumbnail and select the link on the left in the large image window.
Read more about the Kara Sea Demonstration
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Figure 1. Sovetsky Soyuz
Image courtesy: Murmansk Shipping Company
Figure 2. The icebreaker Polarstern
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Training