The Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer (CIMR) Mission: Project Status and System Overview

The Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer (CIMR) mission is one of the six Copernicus Expansion (CopEx) Missions [1], that are part of the Copernicus Space Component being implemented by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission (COM). The mission responds to Copernicus User needs embodied in Mission Requirements [3] by providing high-spatial resolution low-frequency microwave imaging radiometry measurements and derived products. Continuous global coverage every day with sub-daily revisit in the polar regions and adjacent seas is necessary to address Copernicus user needs. The primary mission requirements [3] are to acquire global observations to address Sea Ice Concentration (SIC) and Sea Surface Temperature (SST) with secondary requirements covering a very wide number of parameters related to EU Arctic Policy. For more information about Mission requirement see [2] and [3].The mission can be considered a "game changer" for global and polar region observations, thanks to features such as•All weather, day/night imaging capability;•multi-frequency (L to Ka), simultaneous acquisitions;•Unrivaled spatial resolution (5…<60km);•Excellent radiometric accuracy/resolution and stability;•Global coverage, "no hole at the pole", sub-daily (6h) revisit.The paper provides and overview of the Project and System implementation following the successful System and Instrument Preliminary Design Review (PDR) held on October 2022.