This science-driven programme aims to provide critical data to address pressing environmental questions. It involves Core Missions, comprising relatively complex and innovative Earth observation satellites, and Opportunity Missions, using more mature technology, thus allowing speedier implementation.
A radar altimetry mission dedicated to the observation of the polar regions, CryoSat is studying possible climate variations and trends by measuring changes in the thickness of ice sheets and polar ocean sea-ice cover (which play a significant role in the global climate) for at least three years with unprecedented accuracy, providing researchers with previously unavailable data from these uninhabited regions.
After a launcher malfunction unfortunately resulted in the total loss of the initial CryoSat satellite in the autumn of 2005, ESA decided to rebuild the satellite. CryoSat-2 was launched on 8 April 2010 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome (Kazakhstan) on board a Dnepr launcher. It successfully completed its commissioning phase and is now returning data for the scientific community to study.
As for the original CryoSat satellite, Astrium was prime contractor to ESA for CryoSat-2, responsible for the satellite platform and integration of all instruments.
Photos above: © ESA
Fact Sheet
| Customer | European Space Agency |
| Mission | Determine fluctuations in the mass of the Earth’s major land and marine ice fields |
| Orbit |
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| Spacecraft |
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| Payload |
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| Features | Power: 400W (nominal) - 800W peak |
| Launch Mass | 720kg |
| Dimensions | 4.6m long, 2.34m wide |
| Launch Date | June 2010 on DNEPR-1 rocket from Baikonur |
| Mission Duration | Six months of commissioning followed by a three-year operational mission |
| Astrium Responsibilities |
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