The ARCANA project introduces a new approach to improving maritime operations in the Arctic, addressing the increasing need for enhanced situational awareness resulting from growing maritime activity and accelerating climate change. As Arctic se routes gradually open, advanced navigation and monitoring systems become essential for safe and sustainable operations.
Satellite-based Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), particularly open access data from Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission, is a cornerstone national ice services due to its ability to acquire imagery independent of weather and daylight. Mariners rely on ice information derived from these services, and some use SAR imagery directly for navigation. However, current SAR satellites are limited by insufficient temporal coverage, typically providing only one or a few images per day.
Rapid and highly dynamic sea-ice conditions in the Arctic can render satellite images outdated within hours, reducing spatial awareness during navigation. ARCANA aims to combine the strengths of two complementary sensing approaches: satellite SAR imagery, which offers broad coverage regardless of environmental conditions, and high-resolution optical observations collecte4d from airborne platforms. By integrating these data sources, ARCANA can update and refine wide-area SAR images with more timely and detailed optical data acquired from the air. This enables a more accurate and up-to-date representation of sea-ice and ocean conditions—particularly important in the Arctic, where ice drifts rapidly and direct observations are inpractical.
The project employs dual-modality imaging systems together with advanced machine learning techniques for image enhancement, extraction of ke parameters, and dynamic image alignment. The main goal is to increase the precision and operational utility of satellite SAR data for near-real-time navigation in drifting sea ice, aiming for a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4–5.
By integrating airborne and satellite observations with cutting-edge machine learning, ARCANA strenghens maritime safety and situational awareness in the Arctic. The project provides navigational tools and environmental insights that support safer maritime operations in a region of growing strategic and economic importance.
