# ICESat-2

> satellite in NASA's Earth Observing System

**Wikidata**: [Q5969535](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5969535)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICESat-2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/icesat-2

## Summary
ICESat-2 is an Earth observation satellite in NASA's Earth Observing System, launched in 2018 to measure ice sheet elevation, sea ice thickness, and vegetation canopy heights with unprecedented precision. It succeeded the original ICESat mission and carries the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) instrument.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Earth observation satellite
- **Mass**: 1,514 kilograms
- **Dimensions**: 2.5 meters (length) × 1.9 meters (width) × 3.8 meters (height)
- **Launch Date**: September 15, 2018, at 13:02:45 UTC
- **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta II (model D381)
- **Manufacturer**: Orbital Sciences Corporation
- **Operator**: Northrop Grumman Corporation
- **Spacecraft Bus**: LEOStar-3
- **Power Source**: Spacecraft solar array (4 panels, 1,320 watts)
- **Primary Instrument**: Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS)
- **Predecessor**: ICESat (launched in 2003)
- **Part of**: NASA's Earth Observing System
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Funder**: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

## FAQs
### Q: What is the purpose of ICESat-2?
A: ICESat-2 is designed to measure Earth's elevation, including ice sheets, sea ice, and vegetation canopies, using a laser altimeter system to provide high-precision data for climate research.

### Q: How does ICESat-2 differ from its predecessor, ICESat?
A: ICESat-2 is an advanced successor with a more powerful laser instrument (ATLAS) that can collect data at a higher rate and with improved resolution compared to the original ICESat.

### Q: What kind of data does ICESat-2 collect?
A: ICESat-2 collects precise measurements of Earth's surface elevation, including changes in ice sheet thickness, sea ice freeboard, and vegetation canopy heights.

### Q: Who operates ICESat-2?
A: ICESat-2 is operated by Northrop Grumman Corporation, with NASA overseeing the mission and data analysis.

### Q: How long is ICESat-2 expected to operate?
A: The mission is designed to last at least three years, with potential extensions based on spacecraft health and data quality.

## Why It Matters
ICESat-2 plays a critical role in climate research by providing detailed measurements of Earth's polar ice sheets, sea ice, and vegetation. Its high-precision laser altimeter system, ATLAS, allows scientists to track changes in ice elevation and thickness, which are essential for understanding climate change impacts. The satellite's data helps researchers assess sea level rise, monitor glacier retreat, and study the health of forests and other ecosystems. By succeeding the original ICESat mission, ICESat-2 ensures continuity in critical Earth observation data, supporting long-term climate studies and policy decisions.

## Notable For
- **Advanced Laser Technology**: ICESat-2's ATLAS instrument uses a multi-beam laser system to collect data at a higher rate and resolution than its predecessor.
- **Polar Ice Monitoring**: The satellite provides detailed measurements of ice sheet elevation changes, aiding in climate change research.
- **Sea Ice Thickness**: ICESat-2 measures sea ice freeboard, helping scientists calculate ice volume and monitor Arctic and Antarctic sea ice trends.
- **Vegetation Canopy Heights**: The mission collects data on forest canopy heights, supporting ecosystem studies and carbon cycle research.
- **Mission Continuity**: ICESat-2 ensures the long-term availability of elevation data, maintaining the legacy of the original ICESat mission.

## Body
### Mission Overview
ICESat-2 is part of NASA's Earth Observing System, launched to study Earth's polar regions and vegetation. It succeeds the original ICESat (2003), which ended in 2010. The satellite carries the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS), a laser instrument that measures elevation with high precision.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 1,514 kg
- **Dimensions**: 2.5 m (length) × 1.9 m (width) × 3.8 m (height)
- **Power**: 1,320 watts from four solar arrays
- **Orbit**: Polar orbit, altitude of approximately 500 km

### Launch and Deployment
- **Launch Date**: September 15, 2018, at 13:02:45 UTC
- **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta II (model D381)
- **Manufacturer**: Orbital Sciences Corporation
- **Operator**: Northrop Grumman Corporation

### Scientific Instruments
- **ATLAS**: The primary instrument, a laser altimeter that emits pulses of light to measure Earth's surface elevation.
- **Photon Counting**: ATLAS uses photon counting to detect individual photons reflected from Earth's surface, enabling high-resolution data collection.

### Data Collection
- **Ice Sheets**: Measures changes in Greenland and Antarctic ice sheet elevation.
- **Sea Ice**: Tracks sea ice thickness and freeboard (the height of ice above water).
- **Vegetation**: Provides data on forest canopy heights and ecosystem health.

### Mission Duration
- **Primary Mission**: Designed to last at least three years.
- **Potential Extension**: Mission could be extended based on spacecraft performance and data quality.

### Significance
- **Climate Research**: Supports studies on sea level rise, glacier dynamics, and polar ice mass balance.
- **Ecosystem Monitoring**: Contributes to understanding vegetation structure and carbon cycle dynamics.
- **Continuity**: Ensures long-term data records for climate modeling and policy-making.

## References

1. [Source](https://icesat-2.gsfc.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/page_files/ICESat2missionBrochureFINAL1.pdf)
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/icesat-2.htm)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://icesat-2.gsfc.nasa.gov/fast-facts)
5. [Source](https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/09/15/early-morning-launch-closes-book-on-delta-2-legacy/)
6. [Source](https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/09/delta-end-legacy-icesat-2-launch/)