The European Space Agency’s (ESA) CryoSat-2 earth ice observing satellite has successfully launched atop a Dnepr rocket.

CryoSat-2 will study climate change by measuring variations in the thickness of ice sheets across Antarctica and Greenland, and relatively thin polar sea-ice cover for a period of three years.

The ice observer craft carries a sophisticated SAR / interferometric radar altimeter (SIRAL) for the mission.

The satellite, built by an Astrium-led consortium, has been positioned in a polar orbit, reaching latitudes of 88°.

The position is closer to the poles than earlier earth observation satellites, enabling it to cover an additional area of about 4.6 million square kilometers, helping to further our understanding of earth ice and climate.

The satellite is the third ESA earth explorer satellite to be placed into orbit, after the gravity field and steady-state ocean circulation explorer (GOCE) mission, and the soil moisture and ocean salinity (SMOS) mission.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Cryosat-2 was rebuilt after the initial Cryosat was lost to a launch failure in 2005.