ASAP7 - CoReH2O SCIENCE (2010-2012)

Financed by the FFG/BMVIT, Austrian Space Applications Programme (ASAP) 7th Call, Prime Contractor ENVEO, Contract 828345.

The FFG ASAP-7 CoReH2O Science project will contribute to scientific preparations for the satellite Cold Regions Hydrology High-Resolution Observatory (CoReH2O). CoReH2O is an Earth Explorer Core Candidate mission, selected for Phase-A studies by ESA in 2009. The CoReH2O mission intends to close gaps in spatially detailed observations of key parameters of the global snow and ice masses for applications in climate research and hydrology. The sensor is a dual frequency, X- and Ku-band (9.6 and 17.2 GHz), dual-polarized synthetic aperture radar. The primary parameters, to be delivered by the mission as Level 2 products, are the extent of snow areas and snow water equivalent (SWE) over land surfaces, and the winter snow accumulation on glaciers. The proposed project is concerned with scientific activities for CoReH2O, addressing important open questions complementary to ongoing ESA studies. Jointly with international partners field campaigns will be performed in the Alps, Finland, Colorado, and Canada, in order to enhance the experimental data base on Ku- and X-band backscatter of snow. These data will be used to identify shortcoming of snow retrieval algorithms for CoReH2O and validate snow cover products. Based on this evaluation, improvements for theoretical forward models on radar backscatter of snow and for retrieval algorithms will be implemented. In addition, it is planned to develop and test concepts on synergy with snow and ice measurement of other satellites, in order to support the initialization of snow retrievals and the scientific exploitation of CoReH2O. Results of the project will contribute to documents for the evaluation of the mission after completion of Phase-A.

For further Information visit the CoReH2O Science Project Page.