The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) is a research and service agency that functions under the Ministry of Transport and Communications. It has the mandate of producing weather, atmosphere, climate and marine related services required by Finnish society. FMI provides reliable information on the state of the atmosphere, and its characteristics and phenomena, with the aim of promoting safety and serving various needs of the public, industry and commerce, as well as contributing to scientific ends. FMI makes observations of the physical state of the atmosphere, its chemical composition, and electromagnetic phenomena. FMI also develops and applies numerical models in order to analyse and forecast various atmospheric physical and chemical processes. FMI hosts the Arctic Space Centre in Sodankylä, which is also Copernicus Collaborative Ground segment. The Arctic Space Centre maintains and develops versatile ground-based measurements in support of satellite calibration and validation activities, and to study the interlinkages in the Arctic atmosphere-ecosystem environment. In addition, the Arctic Space Centre hosts infrastructure for satellite data reception, storage, and distribution. Overall, FMI employs about 680 people, about 350 of which are involved in research.
Participating in this proposal is the Earth Observation Research unit of FMI’s Space and Earth Observation Centre. The unit has expertise in atmospheric research, including satellite instrument and algorithm development, satellite remote sensing of greenhouse gases and atmospheric composition, atmospheric modelling, UV research, development of mathematical methods and software applications. Within the unit, the Remote Sensing of Land Surfaces and Cryosphere group of currently 16 scientists (2024) focuses on developing methodologies for estimating various geophysical parameters related to the terrestrial cryosphere from Earth Observing satellites, including snow cover and seasonal freezing and thawing of soils. Members of the group have developed forward models and retrieval methods in relation to the ESA SMOS and Copernicus Sentinel-1 missions. In particular, the group has conducted investigations into the forward modelling of active and passive microwave signatures of snow cover. Within these research projects, members of the group have gained extensive experience in conducting long-term experiments using ground-based instruments, analysing both air- and space-borne experimental datasets, as well as developing retrieval algorithms for the retrieval of geophysical parameters using satellite sensors.
Relevant projects (selected):
- ESA NoSREx (2009-2013). Deployment of ESA SnowSCAT scatterometer in support of CoReH2O Phase A mission studies. FMI was PI of experiment.
- ESA WIMEX (2022-ongoing, lead Uni. Roma). Development of forward and inverse models for SAR; FMI responsible for InSAR SWE retrieval and forward simulator implementation for L-band
- ESA EDAP (2021-ongoing, lead Telespazio). Assessment of data and product quality of third-party SAR missions. FMI responsible for ICEYE X-band assessment.
- ESA CIMR L2PAD (2023-ongoing); Level-2 Product Algorithm Development for CIMR . FMI is responsible for SWE algorithm development.
- Research Council of Finland ASTRA-Snow (2019-2024): study of advanced retrieval concepts for snow mass. FMI was PI of study.
- ESA SnowConcepts. ESA EXPRO/EXPRO+ (2016-2018); Study of mission concepts for snow mass. FMI was PI of study.
- ESA SCADAS – SnowSAR Campaign Data Analysis Study. ESA EXPRO/EXPRO+ (2016 – 2018); analysis of ESA SnowSAR airborne datasets. FMI was PI of study.
ENVEO, founded in 2001, is an internationally operating engineering company licensed for services in meteorology and remote sensing. The main business activities comprise research and development for remote sensing applications in hydrology, cryosphere, climatology and meteorology. The ENVEO team has many years of experience in the use of satellite data for environmental monitoring in national and international projects. They served as consultants and evaluators for activities in Earth observation from space for ESA, NASA, the European Commission, and national programs of several countries. Currently, 13 people are working at ENVEO (status December 2024).
ENVEO has a long experience in the development and implementation of algorithms, methods and workflows for analysing and processing SAR and optical satellite data. This includes the retrieval of land ice parameters and seasonal snow from SAR and optical satellite data and the design, implementation and operation of services using satellite data, and the assessment of geolocation accuracy of optical sensors, as well as validation of geophysical products. ENVEO is running several operational services providing EO products, e.g. leading the Copenicus C3S Cryosphere Service (Lead of Service; Climate data records for ECV Ice velocity for Greenland and Antarctica; and ECV Snow Extent) , Near Real time Snow products in th frame of the Copernicus Global Land Monitoring Service , and Wet Snow products for the EEA HRWSI service. Due to the high expertise ENVEO personnel is/was invited member of several interbational working groups (e.g. WMO Polar Satellite Task Group (PSTG), EC Copernicus Polar Expert Group I+II+III, CEOS LPVE). ENVEO is involved in the scientific preparation for new satellite missions including Copernicus Expansion Mission ROSE-L (MAG Member) and Sentinel-1 NG, and EE12 Candiated Mission Hydroterra+.
Relevant Project (selected):
- EEA HR Water Snow and Ice Service (2020-2024; 2024-2027): ENVEO is leading NRT service for wet snow monitoring using Sentinel1.
- ESA CCI+ Snow (Phase 1: 2018 – 2021, Phase 2: 2022 – 2025): ENVEO is PI
- ESA MS POLINSAR – Information Content of Multi-Spectral POLINSAR Data (2021 – 2023)
- ESA SARSIMHT-NG Study on Simulation of Hydroterra SAR System Performance in the Mediterranean and the Alps based on Experimental Airborne SAR data (2021 – 2023)
- ESA EXPRO+ AlpSnow – Alps Regional Initiative – Science ALPSNOWATER (2020 – 2023)
- ESA Hydroterra+ Earth Explorer 12 Phase 0 Science and Requirements Consolidation Study (2024-2026)
- ESA SEOM S1-4Sci Snow (2016 – 2018): ENVEO was PI of study.
- ESA SCADAS – SnowSAR Campaign Data Analysis Study. ESA EXPRO/EXPRO+ (2016 – 2018)
- ESA AlpsTomoSAR (2014) L-Band Tomographic SAR over snow and ice areas.
The Microwaves and Radar Institute of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), located in Oberpfaffenhofen (Bavaria, Germany), has more than 80 years of experience in radio frequency technology and has for more than 25 years been active in microwave remote sensing. It holds leading expertise in SAR system and mission design, operation, data processing, air- and space-borne SAR interferometry and polarimetry, innovative SAR operation modes, processing and inversion algorithms. Building on the experience gained in more than 25 years with the successful participation in NASA’s Shuttle Radar Program and the TerraSAR-X mission, the developed the TanDEM-X mission, leading to the generation of a global Digital Elevation Model (DEM) with an unprecedented accuracy and allowing for the demonstration of several new techniques and modes like digital beamforming, super resolution, single-pass polarimetric SAR interferometry, along-track interferometry with four phase-centers and others. Moreover, The Institute has participated in a large number of ESA studies and projects and has developed a close cooperation with the German space industry. It contributes actively to several new satellite programmes such as BIOMASS, HRWS, Tandem-L, ALOS-2, SAOCOM-CS, SARah, SMOS, Sentinel-1, ROSE-L, Hydroterra and Harmony.
The DLR Radar Science Group, within the Satellite SAR Systems Department, has a well-established experience and know-how in the fields of SAR systems design, SAR interferometry, digital elevation models and machine learning. We have been involved in the design, optimization and operation of the TanDEM-X mission from the very beginning, being responsible for the final performance assessment of the global TanDEM-X digital elevation model. Currently, the focus of the research group is the development of novel AI-based methods at all different stages of a SAR system, from the raw data up to the higher-level scientific applications.
Particularly relevant is the work currently under development for an adaptive on-board quantization of SAR raw data using AI. In the field of AI-based processing of the SAR signal, we concentrate on the estimation (denoising and full-resolution preservation) of the InSAR phase/coherence and on phase unwrapping. Regarding high-level scientific applications, we cover all different spheres of the Earth system, from the biosphere to the geosphere, the hydrosphere and the cryosphere, always oriented toward the generation of large-scale, multitemporal products. In the field of the biosphere, the Group was responsible for the conceptualization, generation and release of the Global TanDEM-X Forest/Non-Forest Map product, generated using a machine learning-based clustering approach, as well as the derivation of robust deep learning methods for global forest mapping from TanDEM-X data using self-supervised learning methods and for land cover classification using Sentinel-1 InSAR timeseries. Moreover, we are currently concentrating on the large-scale regression of biophysical forest parameters using deep learning, in particular forest height and above-ground biomass. In the field of the cryosphere, we have been participating to international co-operations together with NASA-JPL, ASI and the University of Houston, USA, for the monitoring of glaciers and ice shelves dynamics in both Antarctica and Greenland, as well to European and National projects on the development of novel algorithms for the estimation of snow parameters (e.g., AlpSnow ESA project, MO3CCA Doctoral School with FAU University, Erlangen, GER).oSREx (2009-2013). Deployment of ESA SnowSCAT scatterometer in support of CoReH2O Phase A mission studies. FMI was PI of experiment.
The Theoretical and Applied Earth Observation Laboratory (TAOES) at the University of Waterloo is the research lab of Prof. Richard Kelly. The lab’s focus is on the research and development of satellite, airborne, and ground-based microwave remote sensing system observations to improve snowpack mass estimates for water resource and climate length applications. The lab has been working on satellite-based snow retrieval estimates using satellite passive microwave observations and is currently the scientific lead of the standard snow depth product from the JAXA Global Change Observation Mission – Water Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer –2. Prior to this, the lab developed the snow water equivalent standard algorithm for NASA/JAXA’s Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer – EOS. Members of the lab are instrumental in developing the snow mass product from ESA’s Conical Imaging Microwave Radiometer (CIMR) system due for launch at the end of the decade.
The application of ground-based X- and Ku-band radar observations for snow mass estimation has also been a focus in the group. This science-driven discovery research explored season-long radar signatures of snow-covered landscapes to support space-based radar development. Winter season-long experiments were conducted in Churchill, Manitoba (2009-2010 and 2010-2011), Ontario (2013-14 and 2014-15 winters), Trail Valley Creek, NWT (2015-16 winter season), and Grand Mesa, Colorado (2016-17 winter). The research helped to develop the foundational understanding of Ku-band radar response from snow. Most recently, the research focus has been on our airborne cryosphere-observing synthetic aperture radar system (CryoSAR) which is an L-band and Ku-band polarimetric airborne SAR for observing the cryosphere, including seasonal snow mass on land, lakes and sea ice. Airborne surveys have been conducted in Ontario (2022-23, 2023-24), and various Arctic sites in 2024 (Trail Valley Creek, NWT; Cambridge Bay, NU; Devon Ice Cap, NU; and various sea ice sites). The system is currently being used for survey flights of an instrumented field site at Fortress Mountain, Alberta, and Rogers Pass, BC in 2024-25, and repeat survey flights will be conducted in 2025 over the Arctic sites. With a lab group of 8 members including 6 PhD students and 2 postdoctoral fellows, the team have helped to develop microwave remote sensing and fieldwork expertise to characterize snow accumulation using active and passive microwave systems.
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) mandate is to preserve and enhance the quality of the natural environment, conserve renewable resources (including water resources), deliver meteorological information, enforce the Canada – United States International Joint Commission relating to boundary waters, and coordinate environmental policies and programs for the federal government of Canada. The Climate Processes Section (CPS; part of the Climate Research Division) carries out research to generate new knowledge on variability and trends in the cryosphere (snow and ice), and the parameterization of cold climate processes in climate models to support improved understanding of past, present, and future climates at regional and global scales. CPS has the mandate to develop, validate, and apply new remotely sensed capabilities for the cryosphere in support of climate monitoring, process studies, and model evaluation. There is specific emphasis on the cryosphere because it is a major component of the climate system in Canada (and influences much of the northern hemisphere), and has significant impacts on energy, water, and geochemical cycles, northern access and resource development, and the daily lives of all Canadians. The CPS research program is built on a combination of field measurement campaigns, satellite and airborne remote sensing, and land surface modelling.
Remote sensing activities include the validation and application of satellite derived snow water equivalent (ESA Snow CCI), L-band landscape freeze-thaw (NASA SMAP, ESA SMOS), sea ice dynamics (CSA RADARSAT-2; RADARSAT Constellation), and snow depth on sea ice (NASA ICESAT-2). Since 2009, the Section has been funded by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to provide remote sensing expertise towards the development of capabilities to assimilate satellite derived cryosphere datasets in the Canadian Land Data Assimilation System (CaLDAS), run operationally in the Meteorological Service of Canada. The Section is also currently leading a new satellite radar snow mass concept study funded by CSA. CPS expertise in cryosphere observational techniques and cold climate processes research contributes to Canadian and global climate monitoring and modelling through participation in national and international space agency programs (Canadian Space Agency; European Space Agency, NASA), the World Climate Research Program (WCRP) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).