Understanding our cryosphere through Earth observation satellites

Q. What role does earth observation play in mitigation and adaptation efforts addressing changing climate?

Christian Hauglie-Hanssen: The climate changes we're seeing are quite severe. I think what is essential here is looking at which parameters and which changes have the most severe effects on people in the Arctic. It could be rockslides, erosion, avalanches, changes to the groundwater content, risk for wildfires and so on. The role that Earth observation can play, in my opinion, is providing information that could help maintain the quality of living and ways of operating in the Arctic. One important aspect is the actual need for relocating communities. We are seeing in Svalbard that the permafrost is thawing, which means that some of the buildings that have been residing on the permafrost need to be - and they are being - relocated now because the ground is melting. The role that Earth observation will play in that is providing the ability to do more long-term planning and to implement adaptation efforts such as how to protect these areas and how to relocate. Infrastructure is critical for maintaining a well-functioning society.

Q. How can data become even more reliable in future, to assist people on the ground who are navigating the effects of a changing Arctic?

Christian Hauglie-Hanssen: In terms of becoming even more reliable, I think it's important to look at the more general trends in technology and the types of observations that you can do. We are investing in new technology, new services with more precision, more satellites, and higher revisit rates. Currently, there are three new satellites being built that focus on the cryosphere. They're using more enhanced instruments and will be able to measure different variables that are a supplement or a complement to existing capacities. While these satellites are complex and costly, they do have a limited time life, typically between eight to 10 years. That gives you a natural timeline where you can plan for the next satellites where you can increase and enhance their capabilities.

In Norway, we are building specific satellites for monitoring maritime traffic. We're seeing now with changes to sea ice and more severe weather, for example, these satellites help with the national operations of our maritime traffic. The coast of Norway and around Svalbard are the most densely trafficked area in the Arctic region. These satellites can serve in the provisions of safe maritime operations, also in the Arctic.

In August, we launched the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission, which are two satellites that are providing broadband coverage in the Arctic for the first time to regions that didn't previously have it. To have communication capabilities in the Arctic that was not there before is important in terms of developing society, promoting safe operations and being able to do research. This provides increased security to Arctic inhabitants, ship traffic, and researchers that work there.