KSAT provides NRT satellite imagery over the Arctic Ocean

Written by Kristen Ulstein, Kommunikasjonsrådgiver

Published: 11.06.2007

Ksat-ing (Ingressbilde)

Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) can now provide real-time access to high resolution satellite data (SAR) showing the sea ice conditions immediately around a ship/platform. No up-to-date detailed map of the ice conditions has up until now ben readily available for journeys in the ice-infested waters of the Arctic Ocean.

KSAT are now able to provide the latest satellite image from the European Space Agency satellite, Envisat, and the Canadian Radarsat-1 satellite to any International Polar Year (IPY) expedition in the Arctic Ocean. Users will be able to connect to KSAT in Tromsø using an Iridium phone.

The transmission of detailed satellite images over a very low bandwidth has become possible due to software developed by ITT Visual Information Solutions. Coupled with KSAT's ability to deliver the latest satellite image within half-an-hour of acquisition, users can receive the very latest information on the sea ice conditions.

The technology, first used during Ann Bancroft and Liv Arnesen's expedition, has been described as unprecedented, adding a measure of understanding and safety which was simply not available before. The satellite images, analysed by the Canadian Ice Service (CIS), revealed unusually extensive fracturing of sea ice in the Lincoln Sea. However, Ann and Liv would have known the extent of any leads that crossed their path and they would have been able to decide whether they should swim or walk around open areas of water, known as leads that obstructed their path.

Last month K/V Svalbard, the Norwegian Coastguard's icebreaker om a mission for the IAOOS IPY project., received the latest radar satellite images which, together with other essential resources, played an important role in the day-to-day planning as she participated in a joint expedition with the Bi-polar Atlantic Thermohaline Circulation (BIAC) and Ice Load Monitoring (ILM) projects in the waters around the Svalbard Archipelago.

For more details please go to the KSAT website.

Last updated: 11.06.2007

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Det norske IPY-sekretariatet, Norges forskningsråd, Postboks 2700 St.Hanshaugen, 0131 Oslo - Redaktør: Kristen Ulstein