In the early 2010’s, the European commission initiated an user requirements process for the next generation of Copernicus Space Component (CSC). Monitoring the polar regions has been identified as a priority for the evolution of CSC planned for the mid-2020s to meet user needs not addressed by the existing observing system. In this context, the “Copernicus Polar and Snow Cover Applications User Requirements Workshop” was held in June 2016. User requirements, gaps in the observation system and several mission concepts meeting the most relevant requirements were discussed. Then, the European commission set up a group of European Polar and Snow Experts (Polar Experts Group or PEG) to review and refine the Copernicus Core User Requirements. Two reports have been written: the PEG reports [RD-1] [RD-2].
The first task of the PolarMonitoring project was to analyse these user requirements over sea-ice, ice sheet and ocean surfaces. Specifically the purpose was to made a list of the main geophysical parameters that can be derived from altimetry, the requirements associated to these parameters, and the gaps of the 2025-2030 constellation in that regard.
The technical note written at the and of this task is available here: PMM_Task1_Report_TN1_v3