 CryoSat @-@ 2 is operated as part of the CryoSat programme to study the Earth 's polar ice caps , which is itself part of the Living Planet programme . The CryoSat @-@ 2 spacecraft was constructed by EADS Astrium , and was launched by ISC Kosmotras , using a Dnepr @-@ 1 carrier rocket , on 8 April 2010 . On 22 October 2010 , CryoSat @-@ 2 was declared operational following six months of on @-@ orbit testing . 
