The impact of global warming on arctic regions has been shown to have consequences on both physical and chemical and biological parameters with changes to sea-level, ocean freshening, and biodiversity. To continuously improve our understanding of global warming impact in arctic regions, it is therefore paramount to obtain observations and measurements covering large regions of the arctic on a regular basis. Considering the remote and inhospitable nature of arctic regions, field campaigns are often restricted in both time and space due to these factors. This imposes limitations to the amount of data gathered during field work seasons and can further cause significant time gaps in data acquisitions.
Here we present the Danish DISCO-2 student CubeSat mission; a student CubeSat designed to assist ongoing arctic research and enable upscaling of in situ measurements with observations using both optical and thermal imaging. The DISCO-2 CubeSat utilizes the rapid advancements in CubeSat technology within the past decades to create a platform which omits some of the limitations of traditional fieldwork campaigns. The payload of DISCO-2 will consist of 2 optical cameras, a thermal camera and in-orbit modular image processing and analysis capabilities. The CubeSat will in addition be able to perform photogrammetric imaging of larger structures, which can be used to determine ice volumes from glacier calvings. The thermal camera will provide the possibility of measuring surface temperatures, which can assist studies of heat transfer between glaciers and arctic fjords. It will further enable thermal observations during periods with polar night. DISCO-2 will be placed in a polar orbit, which will enable a high frequency passe over the polar regions.
As a student lead CubeSat mission, the DISCO-2 CubeSat will also be available for students to order observations for novel research ideas throughout the mission. DISCO-2 is aiming to both enable upscale and assist ongoing arctic research through optical, thermal and photogrammetric observations while simultaneously serve as a unique possibility for students to get experience with remote sensing, arctic research and CubeSat technology.
Mads Fredslund Andersen - 2
Julian Priest - 2,3
Nikolaj Forskov Eriksen - 4,5
Mads Toudal Frandsen - 4,5
Claus Melvad - 1,6
Tobias Frejo Rasmussen - 7
Noah Harry Kjeldgård Nielsen - 2
Cecillie Thorup Strømsnes - 2
Mads Juul Ahlebæk - 4,5
Sigrid Samsing - 8
Thomas Buris Larsen - 8
Jeppe Don - 6
Lasse Alexander Nissen Pedersen - 6
Rune Hylsberg Jacobsen - 7
Søren Rysgaard - 1
Jung Min Kim - 7
Robert Bayer - 3
Caroline Christensen - 9
Emil Fredsted Christiansen 6
Izabella Katharina Gosvig-Leach - 9
Rasmus Gramstrup - 7
Bóas Hermansson - 10
Jesper Hesselvig - 6
Jonas Mariager Jakobsen - 11
Daniel Gjesse Kjellberg - 3
Magnus Sejer Lind - 6
Jeppe Lindhard - 3
Mads Mikkelsen - 2
Oliver Millinge - 7
Tara Møller Moltesen - 6
Sebastian Dahl Negendahl - 2
Alexander Björn Kerff Nielsen - 11
Gustav Balslev Nielsen - 10
Maja Chieng Frisenberg Pedersen - 9
Alexander Stegler Schøler Platz - 7
Paul Rosero - 3
Sofia Savic - 9
Ívar Óli Sigurðsson - 3
Gustav Skjernov - 9
Nikolaj Sørensen - 3
Samuel Grund Sørensen - 2
Astrid Guldberg Theil - 2
Jacob Bay Thomsen - 2
Nicolaj Valsted - 3
Anna Vestergaard - 9
Christoffer Karoff - 2,9,12
