SSTL to measure climate change from space

HydroGNSS satellite will measure hydrological climate change variables

With funding from The European Space Agency, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) is building HydroGNSS. The 55kg satellite will assist with the fight against climate change by measuring key hydrological climate change variables.

Using weakly reflected signals off the land, ice and ocean from global navigation systems, the HydroGNSS will take measurements of key variables including soil moisture, freeze-thaw state over permafrost, inundation and wetlands, and above ground biomass.

During 2022, SSTL completed detailed design ahead of manufacture in 2023 and planned launch in early 2024.