The Level-2 Product Algorithm Development (L2PAD) project is a four-year (2023-2027) activity initiated and funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) to prepare Polar Oceans and Global Land Level-2 algorithms and Ground Processing Prototype (GPP) software for the Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer (CIMR) Expansion mission.

The CIMR L2PAD project is implemented by a consortium of European and Canadian partners, under the lead of the Norwegian Meteorological Institute (METNO). CIMR L2PAD started in late 2023.

All software, data, and algorithm documentations from CIMR L2PAD will be open, in particular the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Documents (ATBDs) and the Level-2 prototype algorithms and GPP.

This page serves as a public entry-point for the project and its results. It will be developed further as results are available. Repositories holding the ATBDs and prototype algorithms will be available at the bottom of this page.

We are looking forward to creating a welcoming, supportive and diverse community of enthusiasts, experts, and users around the Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer (CIMR) satellite mission. The primary focus of this community is to develop and improve algorithms and prototype ground-processing software for the CIMR Level-2 products.

We do not have much to share at this point, but do not hesitate to contact us while we get started 😅.

At this stage, we are not ready to answer detailed questions about the algorithms we will use, nor how the Level-2 products from the CIMR L2 GPP will look like. We are also not ready to take on board community contributions.

But this time will eventually come, so please visit our Discussions page to say 'hi', ask your questions, and stay informed about our progress.

Important: This is a community we build together. Please be welcoming, open minded, and respectful in your interactions, and adhere to our code of conduct.

The CIMR L2PAD project focuses on Level-2 products under ESA's operational responsibility, that is Level-2 products in the Polar Oceans (incl. sea ice) and Global Land (incl. lakes) family. Note that the Global Oceans and Atmosphere CIMR Level-2 products are not covered by CIMR L2PAD, as they are under EUMETSAT's operational responsibility.

The table below lists the Level-2 products that are covered by the CIMR L2PAD team (-P: Polar Oceans, -L: Global Land).

Depending on the Level-2 product, different delivery timeliness are specified:

• Near-Real-Time-3-Hour (NTR3H): Product delivered in <3 hour to the point of user pickup after data acquisition by the satellite. This is the nominal timeliness for the Copernicus Space Component.
• Near-Real-Time-1-Hour (NRT1H): Product delivered in <1 hour to the point of user pickup after data acquisition by the satellite. In the case of CIMR, NRT1H targets support to safe Arctic navigation.
• Non-Time-Critical (NTC): Product delivered in less than 30 days to the point of user pickup after data acquisition by the satellite.

MRD-XXXX refers to the requirement number in the CIMR Mission Requirement Document v5.

CIMR is the Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer mission, a multi-frequency, conically-scanning passive microwave imager designed by ESA to support EU's Arctic Policy, among others. Its launch is scheduled in 2029.

CIMR is a satellite system developed as part of the European Union Copernicus program Expansion activities. CIMR is designed to monitor the rapid Earth system changes taking place in the Arctic in response to the Integrated European Policy for the Arctic. Monitoring the rapid changes of the Arctic environment and polar regions in general (including Greenland and Antarctica), is a key objective for a Copernicus Polar Observing System as specified in Reports of the Polar Expert Group (PEG) on User Requirements. Prioritized users’ needs expressed by the European Commission Polar Expert Group (PEG) are the foundation of the CIMR mission that is fully described in the CIMR Mission Requirement Document v5.

The aim of the mission is to:

Provide high-spatial resolution microwave imaging radiometry measurements and derived products with global coverage and sub-daily revisit in the polar regions and adjacent seas to address Copernicus users’ needs.

The CIMR instrument technical solution is based on a multi-channel conically scanning microwave imaging radiometer. The radiometer is optimised with low noise channels at unprecedented spatial resolution centered in L- (<60 km), C- (≤15 km), X- (≤15 km), Ka- (≤5 km) and Ku-band (<5km, goal=4 km). A conically scanning design allows a very large swath of nearly 2000 km allowing sub-daily coverage of the Arctic region and 95% coverage of the Earth each day using a single satellite. To achieve high spatial resolution, a large ~8m diameter deployable mesh reflector is implemented. Multiple dual-frequency linearly polarised state of the art receivers are implemented to minimise the rotation rate of the reflector and on-board active cold-load calibration devices maintain a low total standard uncertainty of all measurements.

More info about CIMR and the other Copernicus Expansion missions here.

ESA has prepared videos introducing the mission, find them here.

The CIMR Mission Requirement Document v5 is available online.

The CIMR L2PAD project is implemented by a consortium of European and Canadian partners, under the lead of the Norwegian Meteorological Institute (METNO). CIMR L2PAD started in November 2023, and is initially planned to last four years (2023-2027).

This webpage was developed in the context of the ESA-funded CIMR L2PAD project (2023-2027) (ESA 4000143081/23/I-NS).