Analysis of spaceborne multi-sensor observations of sea ice for operational applications

Vessels operating in polar waters require accurate information, on the nature, distribution and evolution of sea ice. In the present article an analysis of a data-set obtained off the Ronne Ice Shelf in Antarctica (in February 1997) shows the ability of wide-swath spaceborne SAR (RADARSAT) to provide such information. Backscatter predictions from a second-order radiative transfer model agree well with the SAR data. Near simultaneous spaceborne observations from infra-red (NOAA AVHRR) and passive microwave (DMSP SSM/I) provide an interpretation which is consistent with the SAR data when the influence of surface melting is taken into account.