Centre for Integrated Remote Sensing and Forecasting for Arctic Operations (CIRFA)

Satellite data is becoming an increasingly important information source for operational services and is increasingly used to solve many basic tasks in administration, society and business. CIRFA contributes to strengthening knowledge development and innovation based on Earth observation data and satellite technology, and to ensuring relevant competence and education in the field. Our main goal is to produce new knowledge and technologies that can make industrial activities in the north as efficient and environmentally safe as possible. We do this through research that will enable us to utilize the opportunities that modern satellites provide to monitor activities and warn of possible dangers and incidents. CIRFA works with three main applications within satellite remote sensing. All have synthetic aperture radar (SAR) as the main sensor, but often in integrated interaction with data from other sensors (e.g., optical) and models. Remote sensing of the sea surface aims to estimate oceanographic parameters such as currents, waves, and wind over oceans. Remote sensing of sea ice and icebergs will provide detailed information on the location of the ice edge, the nature of the sea ice (different types of ice) and distribution (ice concentration), deformations, drift speeds, location of leads and ridges. Better methods for detecting free-floating icebergs and predicting how icebergs move will contribute to better safety for ship traffic and other operational activities near the ice edge. The research related to the detection and characterization of maritime oil spills will provide new knowledge about how oil interacts with seawater, how an oil spill drifts as a function of wind and current and can thus contribute information that can make the mechanical collection of oil more efficient in the event of any future incidents. CIRFA is developing drone technology to make this technology better suited to arctic conditions. With the help of integrated sensors, e.g., optical and radar, as well as newly developed methods for onboard processing, we have shown that drones can be useful and effective tools in maritime operations. CIRFA has for many years worked with assimilation methodology for a high-resolution model for the Barents Sea, Barents 2.5. In August 2021, this model was operationalized with a so-called EnKF (Ensemble Kalman Filter) system, which assimilates sea ice concentration, sea surface temperature, and various in-situ measurements. The system provides 24 independent predictions, which together give us better assessments of the uncertainty in forecasting sea ice, currents, and temperature fields. Development of remote sensing algorithms is dependent on having access to test and validation data. CIRFA collaborates with NOFO, the Norwegian Polar Institute and other major research projects such as the Legacy of Nansen and MOSAiC, when it comes to field work and the acquisition of relevant ground measurements. In the spring of 2022, the center carried out a research trip to the north-east coast of Greenland with the research vessel RV Kronprins Håakon, where we collected various ground truth data for the validation of algorithms related to the classification and drift estimation of sea ice, ocean models, and tested various drone technologies. As a member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and a participant in the EU's space programs Copernicus, Galileo and EGNOS, Norway and Norwegian industry have opportunities in the European and global market, and Norwegian users have free access to enormous amounts of satellite data. CIRFA helps to ensure that the large amount of data that is collected daily from across Norwegian and Arctic areas is converted into useful information and valuable new knowledge.

-

The maritime industry, i.e. companies in the oil & gas sector, shipping industry, and fisheries, faces new challenges in the High North related harsh weather and sea ice, darkness, and remoteness. Hence, safe and environmentally sound future maritime operations in Arctic areas put new demands on monitoring and forecasting technologies with respect to accuracy, spatial and temporal resolution, reliability, robustness, and automation. Remote sensing (RS) from satellites, airborne platforms and numerical forecast models are and will be the key tools to achieve this. The Centre shall develop new technology and systems for maritime surveillance and forecasting in the Arctic by combining multi-platform remote sensing, surface based measurements and numerical short-term forecast modelling. The research and innovation work has been organized into seven work packages: "Ocean RS", "Sea ice, iceberg and growler RS", "Oil spill RS", "RPAS technology", "Drift modelling and prediction", "Data collection and field work", and "Pilot service demonstration". CIRFA will be organized as a Centre of Research-based Innovation (SFI), with a Centre Board and a Centre Management Team lead by a Centre leader. The SFI will have a Scientific Advisory Board and an Innovation Advisory Board. The SFI will have extensive education activities on all levels, from PhD and master degrees, to brief courses, seminars and workshops. CIRFA will have strong focus on education, and expect to produce around 18 PhDs within its period of operation. An extensive dissemination program shall ensure communication of scientific results, activities, events and achievements to the partners, the scientific community, collaborators and external stakeholders, as well as to the general public. CIRFA has established contacts and collaboration with a large network of acclaimed national and international research partners and industry.