Inaugural Polar Remote Sensing Workshop to Address Arctic Operations and Technological Advancements

NORCE is one of the co-hosts of the first International Environmental Working Group (EWG) Polar Remote Sensing Workshop, which takes place in Tromsø, October 29–31, 2024. The three-day workshop convenes engineers, scientists, and operators from international defense sectors, government ice centers, and the research and development community.

The workshop is organised by the International Cooperative Engagement Program for Polar Research (ICE-PPR) in cooperation with the Office of Naval Research, NORCE, The Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) and the American Presence Post in Tromsø.

The workshop, based in part on previous ICE-PPR Workshops, aims to address several crucial areas of Arctic operations. It will specifically focus on:

Addressing Arctic Operations and Challenges: Examine the needs and obstacles in Arctic operations, particularly focusing on sea ice, icebergs, and remote sensing technologies and techniques.

Exploring Remote Sensing Advancements: Participants will delve into cutting-edge developments in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and optical imaging from spaceborne sensors, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and explore state of the art within machine learning. The discussions aim to understand how these technologies are transforming operational capabilities in the Arctic.

Fostering Collaboration and Data Integration: A critical objective of the workshop is to establish collaborative partnerships and data integration strategies across the ICE-PPR coalition. The event will promote discussions around standard operating procedures and best practices for remote sensing campaigns, aiming to identify opportunities for future collaboration and coordination among international stakeholders.