BackForward Satellite Programme: CryoSat 

Programme details
Programme description
  • Single satellite programme for polar ice observation.  Actually two satellites, the 1st failed at launch.
  • Earth Explorer opportunity mission in the framework of the ESA Living Planet programme: ESA responsible of development and operations.
  • The platform is actively stabilised over 3 axes.
  • The design life time of the satellite is 3.5 years.
  • The satellite exploits a high-inclination drifting orbit.
  • See detailed description at http://www.esa.int/export/esaLP/cryosat.html.
Data circulation
  • Onboard data stored and downlinked to the Kiruna station (Sweden).
  • Data processing and distribution from Kiruna, with user interface managed by ESA/ESRIN (Frascati, Rome).
Agencies ESA
Programme lifetime 2005 - 2026
Associated satellites and instruments

Note: red tag => no longer operational , green tag => operational , blue tag => planned