CryoSat: icy mission
Scientists are doing their best to keep an eye on the ice caps. But they can't be everywhere at the same time. A new European Space Agency satellite, CryoSat, could be the answer.
On board CryoSat is a new type of radar altimeter, with two antennas for greater accuracy. It will measure how high the land surface is relative to sea level and will be used to make a detailed map of the world's polar ice sheets and ice floes.
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A concept image of CryoSat, due to launch in 2004
Image: European Space Agency |
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