Syncing NASA laser, ESA radar for a new look at sea ice
Thursday, July 16, 2020 - 15:32
in Astronomy & Space
With a small nudge to a satellite's orbit, scientists will soon have simultaneous laser and radar measurements of ice, providing new insights into Earth's frozen regions. On July 16, the European Space Agency (ESA) begins a series of precise maneuvers that will push the orbit of its radar-carrying CryoSat-2 satellite about half a mile higher—putting it in sync with NASA's laser-carrying Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite 2, or ICESat-2.