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ESA Satellites Focusing on the Arctic |
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Written by Vector1Media
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Wednesday, 03 December 2008 |
PR - The Arctic is undergoing rapid transformation due to climate change,
pollution and human activity. ESA’s ERS and Envisat satellites have
been providing satellite data of the region for the last 17 years.
These long term data sets in combination with ESA’s future missions
will be key in implementing the newly adopted European Commission
policy called 'The European Union and the Arctic Region'.
The policy highlights new opportunities in the region such as the
opening up of long-sought transportation routes due to receding ice.
However, it focuses on the need to carry out these activities in a
sustainable manner.
In situ research is difficult to carry out in Polar Regions because of
the remoteness and harshness of the area. From their unique positions
in space, Earth-observing satellites provide effective means of
continuously monitoring these regions.
The Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) sensor aboard Envisat is
especially suitable for monitoring the Arctic because it can acquire
images through clouds and darkness – conditions often found there. ESA
is devoting about half of its radar instrument resources to polar area
acquisitions.
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Vector1Media |
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