Proyectos vigentes

On the continuity of L-band satellite missions: new paradigms in products and applications

Equipo

Physical and Technological Oceanography Department

Acrónimo

L-BAND

IP

Marcos Portabella, Antonio Turiel

Resumen

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission can be considered a success story from many points of view. On the technological side, the instrument has proved to be very stable and robust, providing high-quality measurements, despite the processing complexity. On the scientific side, the SMOS data have exceeded all expectations. In particular, maps of the main mission variables (soil moisture and sea surface salinity) are currently served with higher accuracy and resolution than foreseen. Moreover, new emerging applications of high societal impact are currently being derived and exploited from SMOS data. By understanding the value and uniqueness of the L-band radiometry information content, ESA and NASA have recently launched several initiatives on the continuity of passive low-frequency microwave missions. While the possibility of a SMOS follow-on is being openly discussed, a gap-filler, i.e., the Chinese Ocean Salinity mission, has already been approved to be launched around 2019.
One of the most important emerging applications of L-band radiometers comes from their ability to provide sea ice thickness estimates below 0.7 meters, i.e., thin ice. Although thin ice was considered exceptional (and seasonal) a few decades ago, nowadays the presence of thin ice can represent up to 80% of the Arctic sea ice. Moreover, traditional cryosphere satellite radar missions are unable to provide ice thickness estimates below 1 meter. The precise knowledge of sea ice is crucial to improve climate model forecasts and to assess the impact of the current Arctic sea ice melting trend on Europe's climate. It is thus strategic for Europe and Spain to have continuous, good quality monitoring of the Arctic thin ice, which can only be provided by L-band radiometers like SMOS and the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission.

Actividades del proyecto

1) To translate user requirements into enhanced data processing at L1 (WP1) and L2 and beyond (WP2)
2) To demonstrate the unique capabilities of L-band for polar region applications (WP3)
3) To demonstrate new applications over ocean (WP4) and over land (WP5)
4) To maintain existing products and to implement new products in operations (BEC), and to distribute them to the final users, in order to raise awareness and foster the use of L-band products in related applications (WP6)

Fecha inicio

01/01/2018

Fecha finalización

30/09/2021

Organismo financiador

Ministerio de Ciencia en Innovación

Cuantía