Analysis of sea ice thickness and mass estimation with a spaceborne laser altimeter

Sea ice is one of the most important components of the Earth's cryosphere. It modifies the sea-air heat and momentum exchanges, Earth's radiation budget and affects the global heat and freshwater circulation. None of the existing satellite instruments can provide detailed measurements of the sea ice topography and elevation, that is necessary for the study of the sea ice mass balance. This paper presents the results of an analysis that was made for the European Space Agency concerning the feasibility of a spaceborne laser altimeter for sea ice measurement. The analysis indicates that a laser altimeter with a spatial resolution of 50 m-100 m can be used to globally measure sea ice thickness and estimate sea ice mass with an accuracy exceeding the accuracy of the present spaceborne measurement techniques.