3DGL news

Space-based remote sensing provides an unequaled point of view for observing changes on Earth's surface. Collecting precise elevation data from this perspective with modern measurement technology holds promise for a wide range of science disciplines given the coverage over all surface types (e.g., land ice, sea ice, inland water, ocean, and vegetation). Over time this high quality data can not only reveal global elevations but elevation change in those regions with repeat measurements. ICESat-2 carries a state-of-the-art laser ranging system for accurate elevation measurements and utilizes onboard instrumentation and databases to help control the laser pointing enabling repeat measurements and individual geodetic (latitude and longitude) points of interest. The repeat measurements are critical for looking at elevation change over time, while the collection of elevations over specific locations on the Earth enable studies for science and validation efforts. ICESat-2 has been on-orbit for over two years and has collected nearly a trillion measurements. Evaluation of the repeat measurements over time indicate the satellite can point to within 10 m while the ability to collect a measurement of a single position on the surface is within the mission specification of ±45 m.