The Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2): Mission Status and Science Discoveries with Earth Observing Altimetry

Abstract:

The Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite-2 has entered it’s second year on orbit, and continues to collect high-quality measurements of the changing Cryosphere. The Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) emits ~25 billion laser shots per month to provide elevation measurements of sea ice, the polar oceans, glaciers, ice sheets, terrain, vegetation canopy, oceans, lakes and rivers in addition to vertical profiles of clouds and aerosols. ATLAS uses innovative lidar technology for multiple-beam collection with 0.7 m along-track resolution with kilometer scale cross-track sampling to delineate surface slope from true elevation change over repeat measurements. ICESat-2 science results highlight the instrument capabilities and its contribution to Cryospheric studies but also has revealed its ability to provide complementary observations to past and present Earth observing missions. Of particular interest is the extension of elevation and mass change timeseries through the ICESat-2 observations for both the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets. Additionally, ICESat-2 is providing seasonal sea ice freeboard and ice thickness throughout the year and world-wide coastal bathymetry. As of this writing, more than 2.5 million data granules have been downloaded by 1500 users. This presentation will give an update on the satellite operations, health of the observatory, review the many available data products served through the National Snow and Ice Data Center, and highlight science results from the mission.