CRISTAL satellite structure

The structure of the first Copernicus Sentinel CRISTAL satellite in the cleanroom at Airbus. It is ready to be equipped with the hardware that will allow it to function in orbit. Then, engineers will install the advanced instruments that will provide ‘crystal clear’ insights into environmental changes in the world’s remote icy regions.

CRISTAL, which stands for Copernicus Polar Ice and Snow Topography Altimeter, will carry the first dual-frequency radar altimeter along with a microwave radiometer that will measure and monitor sea-ice thickness, overlying snow depth and ice-sheet elevation.

Read full story: CRISTAL prepares to sparkle