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Sea ice observed by Swot

Image of the Month - March 2024

In color, topography measured by KaRIn (250m resolution, blue: lower heights, red: higher heights), overlaid on data from Sentinel-1A's classical SAR imager (one day difference between the two measurements) (Credit Cnes/CLS/JPL)
In color, topography measured by KaRIn (250m resolution, blue: lower heights, red: higher heights), overlaid on data from Sentinel-1A's classical SAR imager (one day difference between the two measurements) (Credit Cnes/CLS/JPL)
Sentinel-1A's classical SAR image alone (Credit Cnes/CLS)
Sentinel-1A's classical SAR imager alone (Credit Cnes/CLS)

Swot also measures over the frozen areas of the oceans, as its orbit extends to 77.6° North and South. Sea ice has an impact on ocean dynamics, which observation is one of the main objectives of the Swot mission, but these dynamics exist just as much under the ice. In addition, leads, i.e. channels of open waters, are present and vary between sea ice chunks. Their sea surface heights can also be measured in the same way as other sea surface. This enables to estimate the thickness of the sea ice, based on its freeboard, i.e. its height above the waterline. 
What's more, the image above shows small pieces of sea ice (or possibly icebergs), carried by currents over the days. 
Cristal/Sentinel-9, a European Copernicus satellite mission dedicated to ice, is scheduled for launch in 2027. This satellite will carry an altimeter of the same type as Cryosat-2.
 

KaRIn surface roughness (grayscale) and water heights deduced from the instrument (in color) near the coast of the Arctic Ocean. (Credit Cnes/CLS/JPL)
KaRIn surface roughness (grayscale) and water heights deduced from the instrument (in color) near the coast of the Arctic Ocean. (Credit Cnes/CLS/JPL)

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