Which space agency operates the CryoSat satellite, designed to study polar ice thickness and monitor climate change?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
CryoSat: Earth's "Ice Mission" -
CryoSat is a key "Earth Explorer" mission of the European Space Agency (ESA). It was developed specifically to understand the behavior of frozen ice in Earth's polar regions.
Main Objective: Its primary goal is to measure changes in sea ice thickness and land mass in the Arctic and Antarctic with extreme precision.
Climate Change: This satellite helps scientists understand how rapidly ice is melting due to global warming and its impact on sea levels.
Technology: It carries a sophisticated radar altimeter called SIRAL (SAR/Interferometric Radar Altimeter), which can measure ice height regardless of clouds or darkness.