Earth Observation Projects

The Earth Observation Laboratory is involved in a wide range of projects covering the entire spectrum from basic to applied research. Here is a selection of some of the larger projects, both current and past.

Current

• Arctic Extremes (ARCTEX)


2024-2026		 Arctic climate change is making what was previously extreme more common, and what was previously impossible a reality. The Arctic's sea and land ice are tightly coupled together, and understanding this extreme behaviour requires a cross-disciplinary effort. ARCTEX (Arctic Extremes) brings together experts in sea ice and land-ice to study the drivers and effects of extreme events in the Arctic using state-of-the-art tools and data. The project has a particular focus on the balance of glacial melt and accumulation in years of exceptionally poor sea ice cover, and the power of icebergs in fjord systems to hold back the sliding of marine-terminating glaciers. This analysis uses a wide range of satellite technologies such as spaceborne radiometers, altimeters, and radar imaging systems. Funds: ESA
Web: DTU project page
Host: DTU, Denmark
PI: Louise Sandberg Sørensen (DTU)     Robbie Mallett (UiT)
• ARKTALAS 2

2024-2026		 The Arctic is a complex region, encompassing different physical and biogeochemical processes and interactions among several components of the Earth system. Changes in the Arctic have a strong impact on the Earth's climate system, the global energy budget, the ocean circulation, the water cycle, gas exchanges, sea level, and biodiversity. Within the ESA ARKTALAS projects we’ll adapt existing NERSC sea ice motion algorithms to include both SAR and passive microwave data. Detection of waves in sea ice will be analysed using SAR data and couple it to in-situ data measurements. With one of the goals being to demonstrate the potential of sea ice drift and waves for science and operational use. Funds: ESA
Web: NERSC project page
Host: The Nansen Center
PI: Johnny Johannesen (NERSC)
     Malin Johansson (UiT)
• HIgh Resolution LOcal sea ice MAPping (HIRLOMAP)

2024-2026		 HIRLOMAP will work towards upcoming missions such as Sentinel Next Generation, and ESA’s Expansion Missions. In the development stage will different image processing and information retrieval methods be used, to test out the products on data from ESA’s Sentinel missions, as well as missions from JAXA and NASA such as ALOS-2/-4 and NISAR. The main objectives are (1) to provide local information products on scales of tens of kilometers with the highest possible spatial resolution between a few tens of meters and 5 meters which are required for special operations and applications such as listed below, and (2) to achieve higher accuracies in detection, classification, and parameter retrievals for Arctic sea ice and iceberg information product generation. Funds: ESA
Web:
Host: UiT The Arctic University of Norway
PI: Malin Johansson
• Ice, Wind, Structures - Ice-wise

2024-2028		 IceWise deals with the effects of sea ice on offshore wind turbines. Europe aims to develop at least 60 GW of offshore wind in EU waters by 2030, making it one of the most important renewable energy sources for the future. This implies the installation of additional wind turbines in the Baltic Sea, where sea ice is one of the main unknowns. To reduce uncertainty in ice action estimations, improve operational planning, and standardize the design process for offshore wind turbines, IceWise combines the expertise of NTNU in ice mechanics and ice actions on offshore structures with the expertise of UiT in satellite remote sensing of sea ice. This will enable Norwegian industry to conduct world-class research. Funds: ENERGIX-Stort program energi
Web: NFR research page
Host: UiT The Arctic University of Norway
PI: Professor Knut Vilhelm Høyland
• Arctic Summer Sea Ice in 3D (SI/3D)

2023-2028		 SI/3D will close the gap in summer sea ice thickness observations from radar altimetry, harnessing deep machine learning, modelling of the radar altimeter response, and dedicated field campaigns, to overcome the processing barriers. With this unique dataset, we will: (1) close the Arctic sea ice volume budget, pinpointing the mechanisms driving seasonal decay and breakup of the ice pack and the feedbacks of sea ice loss on Arctic temperatures, and (2) upgrade seasonal sea ice forecasts from state-of-the-art modelling systems by assimilating summer ice thickness observations. Funds: ERC Starting Grant
Web: EU research page
Host: UiT The Arctic University of Norway
PI: Jack Landy
• air-snow-ice-ocean INTERactions transforming Atlantic Arctic Climate (INTERAAC)


2020-2026		 The INTERAAC project assembles a complimentary team of experts from China and Norway to generate a reconciled multi-mission Climate Data Record (CDR) of sea ice properties in the Atlantic Arctic. By integrating SAR, altimetry, and field observations, we will target the inter-mission biases currently preventing detection of climate-relevant trends. Our new data will enable the investigation of coupled air-snow-ice-ocean processes driving sea ice retreat along the Atlantic Polar Front. Funds: NFR-POLARPROG
Web: NFR research page
Host: UiT The Arctic University of Norway
PI: Jack Landy
• CryoSat Thematic Products (CryoTEMPO) Summer Sea Ice


2021-2026

The Cryo-TEMPO study aims to deliver a new paradigm of simplified, harmonized, and agile CryoSat-2 products, that are easily accessible to new communities of non-altimeter experts and end-users. The project will generate six new thematic along-track products, covering Winter Sea Ice, Summer Sea Ice, Land Ice, Polar Ocean, Coastal Ocean and Inland Water, using rapidly evolving, state-of-the-art processing dedicated to each thematic area.

 Funds: ESA
Web: project page
Host: Lancaster University, UK
PI: Jack Landy

Past

• Arven etter Nansen (The Nansen Legacy)

2018-2024

 The Nansen Legacy is a joint plan to follow Nansen's example in exploring the Arctic and establish a holistic understanding of a changing Arctic Ocean and ecosystem. The project will provide the scientific knowledge base needed for future sustainable resource management in the transitional Barents Sea and the adjacent Arctic Basin. Funds: NFR & partners
Web: arvenetternansen.com
Host: UiT The Arctic University of Norway
PI:
• Sea Ice Retrievals and data Assimilation in NOrway (SIRANO)


2020-2024		 The SIRANO project, a collaboration between MET and UiT, focuses on enhancing sea-ice predictions in the Arctic regions. It emphasizes integrating detailed images from diverse satellites, like Synthetic Aperture Radars and Microwave Radiometers, with advanced computer models. The project's success will benefit maritime navigation, search and rescue operations, and weather forecasting in Norway. Funds: NFR-ROMFORSK
Web: cryo.met.no/en/sirano
Host: Met Norway
PI: Thomas Lavergne
• Center for integrated remote sensing and forecasting for Arctic operations (CIRFA)


2015-2023		 A centre for research based innovation (SFI), hosted at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, focusing on detecting, characterizing, mapping, and forecasting of Arctic sea ice, icebergs, ocean surface currents, wind, polar-lows and marine pollution. Funds: NFR & partners
Web: cirfa.uit.no
Host: UiT The Arctic University of Norway
PI: Torbjørn Eltoft
• Sea Ice Deformation and Snow for an Arctic in Transition (SIDRiFT)

2019-2023		 SIDRiFT focuses on understanding Arctic sea ice deformation and its impact on climate and navigation. Utilizing satellite data, field observations, and numerical models, the project studies ice floe dynamics, cracks, snow distribution, and their effects on ice growth and melting. Collaborating with the MOSAiC expedition, SIDRiFT aims to enhance Arctic weather models and develop new satellite sensors for ice observation, key for future climate strategy and navigation. Funds: NFR-ROMFORSK
Web: twitter.com/SIDRiFT_UiT
Host: UiT The Arctic University of Norway
PI: Polona Itkin