SIRAL 2 performance on ground and first results in orbit
Rey, L.; Rys, L.
THALES ALENIA SPACE INDUSTRIE

CryoSat 2 the mission funded by ESA is on the way to be launched. Rebuilding the SIRAL after the loss of CryoSat in 2005, posed a challenge but we are well-rewarded with the realisation of a high-performance SIRAL 2 instrument. The purpose of the presentation is to discuss results obtained on ground and first results after launch.

This is discussed over the high performance parameters of SIRAL which can be resumed as follow : SIRAL is 3 altimeters in one. It includes three main different modes :

  • The conventional pulse limited measurement mode for interior land ice sheets and sea called : Low Resolution Mode
  • The high along track resolution mode for sea ice called : SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar)
  • The high across track resolution mode for ice sheets margin: SAR Interferometric.

    The associated performance obtained are summarised hereafter:

    To reach these results each behaviour of components, each parameters tuned, each measurement accuracy participate to the final budget and make each instrument unique.

    Lets verify them in flight ...

    Keywords : Ground and first flight performance, Low, High resolution modes, interferometry.