As part of the development phase of the Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer, CIMR, mission – one of six candidate missions for Copernicus – the experiment campaign in the Arctic continues as the team transfers from Iceland to Svalbard.

Preparing to transfer from Danmarkshavn to Svalbard. (Sampo Salo–Harp Technologies Ltd)

The aim of the campaign is to collect data that will help develop new algorithms for sea-ice concentration and sea-surface temperature – CIMR’s core business.

Following a test flight in Akureyri, Iceland, the team flew over Greenland’s east coast, measuring various types of sea ice on route. They refuelled at Constable Point in Greenland and stayed overnight at the weather station in Danmarkshavn.

Lone Arctic fox at Danmarkshavn. (Sampo Salo–Harp Technologies Ltd)

Thanks to favourable weather, the team was able to gather data throughout the journey using the HUTRAD 2.0 instrument and other sensors on the plane.

Sea ice between Greenland and Svalbard. (Sampo Salo–Harp Technologies Ltd)

The CIMREx campaign will now continue with science flights from Longyearbyen in Svalbard.

Post from: Juha Lemmetyinen, Finnish Meteorological Institute