ICESat-2

  • Released Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
  • Updated Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 at 12:00AM

Overview

The Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 will measure the height of Earth from space, creating a record of the planet’s elevation in unprecedented detail and precision. With high-resolution data from ICESat-2’s laser altimeter, scientists will track changes to Earth’s polar ice caps – regions that are a harbinger of warming temperatures worldwide. The mission will also take stock of forests, map ocean surfaces, track the rise of cities and measure everything in between. ICESat-2 continues key elevation observations begun by ICESat-1 (2003 to 2009) and Operation IceBridge (2009 through present), to provide a portrait of change in the beginning of the 21st century.

For more information, please visit the ICESat-2 website.

Data Visualizations

Edited Features

Raw Media for Broadcast

HD broadcast-quality footage of the ICESat-2 spacecraft and ATLAS instrument.

Animations

L-30 Science Briefing Graphics

Facebook Live Broadcasts

High Resolution Still Graphics