Background
The CRISTAL Science and Applications Workshop 2027 will bring together the scientific, operational and user communities preparing for the exploitation of the Copernicus Polar Ice and Snow Topography Altimeter mission. The workshop will review the state of the art in CRISTAL-relevant algorithms across sea ice, land ice, inland water and ocean domains, and will provide a forum for discussion of mission readiness, product use and cross-mission synergies.
The programme will include CRISTAL-related studies and campaigns, including airborne and preparatory activities such as the CRISTALair airborne demonstrator and calibration/validation concepts. It will also address the links between CRISTAL and heritage or companion missions, including CryoSat-2, ICESat-2, CIMR, ROSE-L and Sentinel-3, with emphasis on how CRISTAL science can bridge across missions and services.
The workshop will take place from 10 May 2027 to 14 May 2027 at ECSAT, Harwell, UK, in the Magali Vaissiere Conference Centre. It is intended for scientists, engineers, service providers, application specialists and Early Career Researchers interested in CRISTAL products and their use across cryosphere, hydrology, ocean and coastal applications.
Workshop Objectives
- Review the state of the art in CRISTAL-relevant algorithms across sea ice, land ice, inland water and ocean domains.
- Present results from CRISTAL-related studies, campaigns and preparatory activities, including from the CRISTALair airborne demonstrator, and calibration/validation concepts.
- Prepare the scientific and user communities for exploitation of CRISTAL products, from services to academia.
- Assess how CRISTAL science bridges across CryoSat-2, ICESat-2, CIMR, ROSE-L and Sentinel-3 science and applications.
- Strengthen interaction between sea-ice, land-ice, hydrology, ocean and coastal communities through joint sessions and cross-disciplinary exchange.
- Nurture Early Career Researchers, including through travel grants and sponsorship where possible.
Workshop Main Themes
- CRISTAL mission readiness, products and operations for services.
- Sea ice, icebergs, land ice and glacier applications.
- Inland waters, oceans and coastal applications.
- Campaigns, CRISTALair and calibration/validation concepts.
- Polar mission synergies and links to CryoSat-2, ICESat-2, CIMR, ROSE-L and Sentinel-3.
- Cross-disciplinary science questions, discussion sessions and community recommendations.
Organising Committee
Franck Borde
European Space Agency, ESA
Dana Avrielle Borelli
Olly Services for ESA
Jérôme Bouffard
European Space Agency, ESA
Tânia Casal
European Space Agency, ESA
Paolo Cipollini (Chair)
European Space Agency, ESA
Salvatore Dinardo
EUMETSAT
Kristof Gantois
European Space Agency, ESA
Sabrina Lodadio
Serco Spa for ESA
Participation
The Workshop sessions will include invited overview talks, contributed oral presentations, poster sessions and dedicated discussion time. The format will emphasise cross-disciplinary exchange and mission-relevant science questions, with oral and poster contributions reviewed by the Scientific Committee.
The detailed agenda will be developed by the Programme Board and Scientific Committee. An indicative high-level structure includes opening and programmatic sessions, CRISTAL operations for services, campaigns and CRISTALair, poster sessions, polar mission synergies, thematic sessions on sea ice, icebergs, land ice, glaciers, inland waters, oceans and coasts, and final splinter reports, actions and recommendations.
The official language of the Workshop is English. No participation/registration fee will be charged. Participants are expected to finance their own travel and accommodation expenses, although travel support for Early Career Researchers may be pursued through sponsorship where possible.
Abstract Submission
Note: Abstract length should be at least 200 words and a maximum of 500 words (one A4 page, single space normally contains 400-500 words).
Information about co-authors, including name, affiliation and contact e-mail address, will be required.
Schedule and Deadlines
| Save-the-date announcement | June 2026 |
| Call for abstracts | October 2026 |
| Abstract submission deadline | January 2027 |
| Notification of oral presentations and poster selection | February 2027 |
| Opening of registration | February 2027 |
| Workshop | 10-14 May 2027 |
Venue
Local Organisers : ecsat.mvcc.ecb@esa.int