The snowscat ground-based polarimetric scatterometer: Calibration and initial measurements from Davos Switzerland

The COld REgions Hydrology High-resolution Observatory (CoReH20) Mission proposes a dual frequency radar operating at 9.6 and 17 GHz utilizing VV and VH polarization [1]. By combining Xand Ku-Band with both coand cross-polarization diversity it is possible to estimate the Snow Water Equivalent of dry snow. To support this proposed mission, ESA has sponsored the development of a ground-based coherent polarimetric scatterometer operating over the 9-18 GHz frequency range. ESA is supporting campaigns to acquire and process data using SnowScat for validation of Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) retrieval algorithms.