To Study Environmental Change in Arctic Ocean

The Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) will take part in the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) project.

The Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) announced on Oct. 24 that it would take part in the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) project of 900 scientists and researchers from 19 countries around the world. A total budget of 140 million euros is scheduled to be invested and the KOPRI will be in charge of satellite-based remote sensing in the project, in which the Polarstern will observe how Arctic environments change while drifting in the Arctic Ocean area for 13 months.

The ice-breaking research vessel of Germany is scheduled to cover a total distance of 2,500 kilometers from September this year to October next year. During the period, the KOPRI will analyze data from South Korea’s Arirang-2, 3 and 5 satellites and provide data showing sea ice characteristics, facilitating the research activities, etc.

The on-site observation data on the area’s four seasons will be provided first for the members of the project. The KOPRI is planning to use the data to improve its sea ice prediction system.


Arctic sea ice, which is a temperature regulator reflecting the solar energy that hits Earth, is closely related to global warming and ecosystem change. The amount of the ice has continued to decrease since the first satellite observation in 1979. On-site observations of the ice have been conducted only in summer due to weather and accessibility limitations.

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