Speaker
Description
For the first time in Earth observation, the BIOMASS mission will collect polarimetric P-band SAR data from space that could help monitor large-scale subsurface areas of Antarctica. Indeed, such electromagnetic frequencies penetrate dry ice and snow and may provide information about the stratification and depths of cryospheric elements. This capability will provide easily interpretable vertical structural profiles supporting the discovery and analysis of glaciological features (e.g. ice thickness, subglacial lakes, crevasses) and enable innovative geophysical parameter retrievals. Potentially this will improve glaciological research and the estimation of ice mass balance in different parts of the world.
The main focus of this study is to evaluate BIOMASS tomographic capabilities for mapping the vertical structures of cryospheric features such as ice sheets, ice floes, or glaciers. In the first part, we briefly introduce the mission and its baseline variations with latitude during the TOM (tomographic) phase. Due to vertical resolution and ambiguity properties in high latitudes, we show that this phase may be relevant for thick cryosphere element mapping such as ice shelves, we present a simulation scenario for ice shelf basal topography mapping. In the second part, we highlight interesting opportunities provided by the COM (commission) phase for which higher vertical resolution can be achieved with the possibility of gathering up to 21 tomographic acquisitions while remaining below the critical baseline. Finally, we discuss the different options, trade-offs, and solutions that can be adopted for the optimal use of BIOMASS mission for tomographic mapping of the cryosphere.
