With CRISTAL now one year from launch, its Cal/Val preparation took a step forward at the VOCALIS 2026 workshop, held in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, from 21 to 24 September. Co-organised by ESA and NOVELTIS, with the support of UNIS and SIOS, the workshop brought together around 70 experts, along with representatives from the European Commission and Copernicus Services, with the CRISTAL Cal/Val preparation high on the agenda.

CRISTAL IN-PROVA partners presented their latest work on validation methodologies and the roadmap for CRISTAL Level-2 products across sea ice, icebergs, land ice and inland waters. Discussions also covered field campaigns, including CRISTALair; in situ gaps in the polar regions and synergies with the Copernicus Expansion Missions.

These exchanges highlighted how much CRISTAL Cal/Val will depend on long-term in situ measurements in the polar regions, and on keeping the networks that provide them running.

The outcomes of the workshop will feed into the project’s Cal/Val preparation ahead of launch.

Many thanks to all speakers and participants, to UNIS and SIOS for hosting us, and to ESA for the idea of bringing this workshop to Svalbard.