Multipolarization SAR for Operational Sea Ice Monitoring

POL-ICE stands for Multipolarization SAR for Operational Sea Ice Monitoring and aims to develop methods for measuring ice with satellites in Finland and Canada. The project started in 2005 and will continue for three years. The objective is to create software to facilitate real-time monitoring of sea ice status.

The Finnish participants in the project are the Laboratory of Space Technology at Helsinki University of Technology (TKK), the Finnish Institute of Marine Research, Technical Research Center of Finland (VTT), and Finstaship, which is also the end user of the service under development. In Canada, the project participants are Noetix Research Inc, RADARSAT International (RSI), and the Department of Geography at the University of Calgary. The end user is the Canadian Ice Service.

Feedback from Finnish icebreakers is utilized in developing the ice measurement software. Moreover, end user seminars are held regularly to discuss the required properties and new features of ice measurement software, and to analyze the feedback data gathered. Two seminars are arranged annually by the organizations participating in the project.

So far, the project has consisted of two workshops for the Finnish and Canadian organizations participating in the project. The workshops involved studying the progress of the research by the both parties, future plans, and discussions about synergy benefits. The cooperation has also comprised academic exchanges in 2006.
 

The Finnish industry and research community are playing an active role in this research and development:

• Finnish Institute of Marine Research (FIMR)
  The Finnish Institute of Marine Research (FIMR) is a research institute that is governed by the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications. FIMR produces information relating to the marine sciences for use in decision making, for practical needs, and for use by private citizens. FIMR was founded in 1918.
  

• Technical Research Center of Finland (VTT)
  VTT is an independent expert organization. Its objective is to produce research, development, testing, and information services to domestic and international clients in the public and private sectors.
  

• Laboratory of Space Technology at Helsinki University of Technology (TKK)

• Finstaship
  Finstaship offers icebreaking and fairway services for general shipping needs and specialized offshore and marine construction services, as well as ship management and ferry services.
  

The Canadian participant in the project:

• MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates