Washington, D.C., USA – NASA’s ICESat-2 satellite has recently achieved a remarkable milestone by firing its 2 trillionth laser pulse from orbit. Since its launch in 2018, this cutting-edge Earth-monitoring mission has been offering unprecedented insights into the changing ice sheets, glaciers, forests, and even ocean floors of our planet. The satellite’s advanced laser system, known as ATLAS (Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System), continues to operate at its peak, potentially extending its mission well into the next decade.
On a particular day, March 9, 2025, at precisely 12:51 p.m. EDT (16:51 UTC), ICESat-2 discharged its 2 trillionth laser pulse while observing cloud formations over East Antarctica. The instrument, designed to monitor alterations in ice elevation, has been meticulously mapping the ice sheets of Antarctica and Greenland, uncovering significant changes in ice levels across these regions.
By emitting an impressive 10,000 laser pulses per second, ICESat-2 is able to construct a highly detailed, three-dimensional depiction of Earth’s evolving surface. Its capacity to measure shifts in elevation in polar areas has proven to be crucial for climate research and understanding the impact of climate change.
Recent research published in European Geosciences Union highlights the exceptional condition of ICESat-2’s ATLAS instrument, despite continuous operation and 2 trillion laser pulses. Scientists, such as Anthony Martino from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, have noted no signs of degradation in the laser. The satellite could potentially continue functioning well into the 2030s, with a backup laser on standby in case of any issues.
Aside from its primary mission of measuring ice, ICESat-2’s laser has also been instrumental in collecting data on forests, water bodies, and even aspects of the ocean floor. It has tracked changes in reservoir levels, monitored glacial movements, and identified coastal seafloor topography in various regions around the globe.
In a particular case study, ICESat-2’s data has shed light on the Vanderford Glacier in East Antarctica, revealing alarming insights into its rapid retreat. Research has indicated that warmer ocean waters are causing the glacier to melt from beneath, leading to an accelerated loss of ice. Monitoring a specific point on the glacier between 2019 and 2022, ICESat-2 recorded a significant six-foot drop in ice surface elevation.
With 2 trillion laser pulses and counting, ICESat-2 has built a comprehensive global record of Earth’s ice. Its precise measurements, at both macro and micro scales, enable scientists to track ice loss, predict future sea-level changes, and evaluate climate impacts with unparalleled accuracy. This valuable data aids in understanding how Earth is evolving over time and provides critical insights into the ongoing effects of climate change.
Beyond monitoring ice, ICESat-2’s laser technology is also used for measuring forest canopy heights for carbon storage assessments, tracking inland water levels to monitor drought patterns, and mapping coastal and deep-sea topography, revealing previously unseen ocean features. Additionally, it observes cloud formations and atmospheric particles, contributing to improved climate models and weather forecasts.
ICESat-2’s mission of precision mapping continues, with scientists anticipating even more groundbreaking discoveries about Earth’s climate and topography. The milestone of 2 trillion laser pulses is just one step in what could be a decade or more of transformative data collection, offering invaluable insights into the changes taking place on our planet.