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Home / IAS Preparation / Science & Technology Notes / ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2)

NASA ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2) Mission – Launch Date, Status & Objectives

Last Updated on Jun 17, 2025
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NASAs job isnt just about making scientific discoveries. It also includes developing new technologies, figuring out how to communicate across vast distances in space, and keeping an eye on our own planet. The money NASA puts into things like space robots, systems that can think for themselves, and long-distance space communication has led to important tools for everyday people and for national defense, showing just how valuable NASA is.

In this detailed article, we will learn about the ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2) mission which will travel to Earth (polar orbit), aiming to examine its operational features, onboard systems, and relevance for international collaboration.

  • ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2), launched on September 15, 2018, is expected to play a pivotal role in space research and technology.  
  • The missions objective is ambitious yet crucial: to Measure ice sheet elevation, sea ice thickness, land topography. This will provide new perspectives and could reshape current theories.  
  • Everyone involved, including the crew and ground control, was very dedicated because they knew it was a Earth observation satellite (laser altimetry) with special goals.  
  • The advanced technology of the Delta II 7420-10C made it a very capable choice for this demanding space mission. 
  • The rocket launched from Vandenberg AFB, SLC-2W, starting its space journey. 
  • Ongoing (3-year prime mission, extended) was the length of the mission from launch to completion. 
  • The entire mission was overseen by NASA. 
  • Mission result: Operational. 
  • Estimated at ~$106 billion, ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2) represents a significant investment in next-generation space exploration technologies. 

Featuring ATLAS (Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System), ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2) aims to collect unprecedented data and enable more autonomous mission operations.

ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2) showcases Photon-counting laser altimetry for high-precision elevation measurements, marking a significant step toward intelligent, self-directed exploration missions. This comprehensive article on NASA ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2) Space mission helps UPSC aspirants understand the full life cycle of a modern space mission which is relevant for GS Paper 2, GS Paper 3, GS Paper 4, and Essay.

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NASA ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2) Space Mission Overview 

ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2) – Space Mission Profile for UPSC

Target Celestial Body

Earth (polar orbit)

Launch Date

September 15, 2018

Objective

Measure ice sheet elevation, sea ice thickness, land topography

Mission Type

Earth observation satellite (laser altimetry)

Launch Vehicle

Delta II 7420-10C

Launch Site

Vandenberg AFB, SLC-2W

Mission Duration

Ongoing (3-year prime mission, extended)

Agencies Involved

NASA

Mission Status

Operational

Estimated Cost

~$106 billion

Proposal Date

Early 2000s

New Instruments/Payloads

ATLAS (Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System)

Key Technologies Used

Photon-counting laser altimetry for high-precision elevation measurements

Also, Checkout Sunita Williams’ Missions to the International Space Station

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ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2) Space Mission Global Contributions

  • Key contributors such as Northrop Grumman (built satellite), Goddard SFC (ATLAS instrument/management) provided essential technologies and services that helped accelerate the mission timeline. 
  • Data publicly available for cryosphere and ecosystem research ensured open access to mission findings, promoting collaborative research among international and commercial partners. 
  • ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2) had a transformative effect on global space policy by Provides critical data on ice loss and climate change impacts, shaping future agreements and operational standards for space activities worldwide. 

Global Collaboration & Strategic Impact

International Partners

N/A

Payload Contributions

N/A

Commercial Involvement

Northrop Grumman (built satellite), Goddard SFC (ATLAS instrument/management)

Data Sharing Agreements

Data publicly available for cryosphere and ecosystem research

Impact on Global Space Policy

Provides critical data on ice loss and climate change impacts
Checkout: Daily UPSC Current Affairs for your upcoming exam and get thorough with detailed Insights, Trends and Latest Developments for UPSC CSE Exam

Challenges & Risk in ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2) Space Mission

The complexity of ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2) increased due to issues like Achieving unprecedented measurement precision from orbit, but thanks to swift identification and mitigation techniques, the mission was able to continue its objectives with minimal disruption.

  • The team behind ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2) overcame engineering constraints such as Laser lifetime and performance in space through iterative system tuning. 
  • ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2) has a defined environmental footprint, described as Operational in Earth orbit, which reflects its post-mission trajectory and impact. 

Operational Risks, Environmental Impact & Challenges

Risk & Mitigation Log

Laser lifetime and performance in space

Environmental & Sustainability Footprint

Operational in Earth orbit

Challenges Faced

Achieving unprecedented measurement precision from orbit

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Mission Timeline of ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2) NASA Space Mission
  • The first steps toward mission development began with its proposal on Early 2000s. 
  • Engineers and scientists celebrated the success of the landing/flyby event on Not applicable, a major milestone for the mission. 
  • The date September 2021 (End of 3-year prime mission) marked the successful conclusion of the missions scheduled scientific and operational tasks. 

Mission Timeline & Key Milestones

Proposal Date

Early 2000s

Critical Design Review (CDR) Date

N/A

Assembly Complete Date

N/A

Launch Date

September 15, 2018

Landing / Flyby Date

Not applicable

End of Primary Mission Date

September 2021 (End of 3-year prime mission)

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UPSC Relevance of ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2)
  • Scientific advancements and innovations by NASA are a recurring theme in the UPSC Prelims, reflecting their global significance. 
  • In GS Paper 3, NASA missions serve as examples to explain concepts such as innovation, sustainability, and the ethical use of advanced technologies.
  • UPSC CSE GS Paper 4 (Ethics) could present case studies based on the teamwork and leadership displayed during high-stakes NASA missions, assessing ethical decision-making in extreme environments.
  • Whether exploring climate data from NASA satellites (Geography), understanding U.S. space policy impacts (PSIR), or ethical decision-making in high-risk missions (Philosophy), NASA Space Missions offer integrated value across multiple UPSC CSE Optional subjects.

Also, Learn about International Space Station (ISS)

Past UPCS Mains PYQs on NASA Space Missions

Q1. Launched on 25th December 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope has been much in the news since then. What are its unique features which make it superior to its predecessor space telescopes? What are the key goals of this mission? What potential benefits does it hold for the human race? (2022, GS Paper 3) 

Q2. How does the Juno Mission of NASA help to understand the origin and evolution of the Earth? (2017, GS Paper 1)

Q3. The safe landing of the ‘Curiosity’ Rover under NASA’s space programme has sparked many possibilities. What are those and how could humankind benefit from them? (2012, GS Paper 2)

Past UPCS Prelims PYQs on NASA Space Missions

Q1 [2022]: Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the “Fractional Orbital Bombardment System” often talked about in the media?

(a) A hypersonic missile is launched into space to counter the asteroid approaching the Earth and explode it in space.

(b) A spacecraft lands on another planet after making several orbital motions.

(c) A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.

(d) A spacecraft moves along a comet with the same speed and places a probe on its surface.

Answer: (c) A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.

Explanation: While this question pertains to a military concept, NASAs research into orbital mechanics and space trajectories contributes to the broader understanding of such technologies.

Q2 [2020]: “The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft.” The experiment in question refers to:

(a) Voyager-2

(b) New Horizons

(c) Lisa Pathfinder

(d) Evolved LISA

Answer: (d) Evolved LISA

Explanation: Evolved LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) is a space-based gravitational wave observatory developed by ESA with contributions from NASA.

Q3 [2017]: What is the purpose of ‘evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA)’ project?

(a) To detect neutrinos

(b) To detect gravitational waves

(c) To detect the effectiveness of missile defence system

(d) To study the effect of solar flares on our communication systems

Answer: (b) To detect gravitational waves

Explanation: Evolved Laser Space Interferometer Space Antenna (ELISA) project was widely in the news due to the discovery of gravitational waves by the LIGO detector and the subsequent success of the LISA pathfinder project. The European Space Agency is leading the ELISA mission. The project is initiated to detect and accurately measure gravitational waves.

Q4 [2016]: What is ‘Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10)’, recently in the news?

(a) Electric plane tested by NASA

(b) Solar-powered two-seater aircraft designed by Japan

(c) Space observatory launched by China

(d) Reusable rocket designed by ISRO

Answer: (a) Electric plane tested by NASA
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Explanation: GL-10 is a remotely piloted plane similar to an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). It is designed and developed in such a way that it can take off like a helicopter and fly like an airplane. It is a battery-powered 10-engine with a wingspan of 3.05 meters. Eight electric motors are mounted on the wings. 2 electric motors are mounted on the tail. It weighs a maximum of 28.1 kilograms at takeoff. Due to its versatile vertical takeoff and landing ability, it produces less noise. It can be used as a UAV for small package delivery or vertical takeoff and landing, as well as long-endurance surveillance for agriculture, mapping, and other applications. Its modified scaled-up version can be used as a persons air vehicle.

Q5 [2015]: The term ‘Goldilocks Zone’ is often seen in the news in the context of:

(a) The limits of habitable zone above the surface of the Earth

(b) Regions inside the Earth where shale gas is available

(c) Search for the Earth-like planets in outer space

(d) Search for meteorites containing precious metals

Answer: (c) Search for the Earth-like planets in outer space

Explanation: The Goldilocks Zone is the livable zone around a star where the temperature is not too hot and not too cold for liquid water to exist on a planet. It is a metaphor for the childrens story Goldilocks and the Three Bears, in which a young girl selects from sets of three objects, eschewing the extremes (such as those that are enormous or small, hot or cold) and fixing on the one that is just right in the middle. The Goldilocks zone of the Sun surrounds the Earth. All of Earths water would freeze if it were found where the dwarf planet Pluto is; however, all of Earths water would boil out if it were found where Mercury is.

Also, Get to Know What was NASA's Parker Solar Probe Mission

UPSC Practice Questions on NASA Space Missions

Q1. In December 2021, SpaceX has launched 52 Starlink internet satellites into orbit from a California base. Which rocket has been used to launch these satellites?
1. Voyger Cassini
2. Falcon-9
3. Falcon-7
4. Rover-4
Answer: Falcon-9
Solution: A SpaceX rocket carried 52 Starlink internet satellites into orbit from California on 18 December 2021. The two-stage Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from coastal Vandenberg Space Force Base. The Falcon's first stage returned and landed on a SpaceX drone ship in the ocean. The mission was the 34th launch for Starlink, a constellation of nearly 2000 satellites in low Earth orbit.

Q2. Recently seen in the news, DART mission is launched by _______.
1. CNSA
2. ISRO
3. NASA
4. ESA
Answer: NASA
Solution: Just two weeks after its launch, NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test DART spacecraft has opened its eye and returned its first images from space a major operational milestone for the spacecraft and DART team. Hence option 3 is correct.

Q3. Which one of the following is not a launch vehicle technology?
1. GSLV
2. ASLV
3. PSLV
4. MSLV
Answer: MSLV
Solution: Launch vehicles or launch systems are used to transport spacecraft from the Earth's surface into space. To establish a sustainable orbit, a velocity of roughly Mach 25 or about 8 km/s is required. In 1964 during a test flight, NASA's largest launch vehicle, the Saturn SA-5, sent a record-breaking 19 tonnes into orbit. The first American Gemini flight, an unpiloted test that made four orbits and was successfully recovered, took place on April 8, 1964. The development of launch vehicles in India began in the early 1970s. In 1980, the first experimental Satellite Launch Vehicle SLV-3 was built. In 1992, an augmented version of this, ASLV, was successfully introduced.

Q4. The mission aims to put humans back on the moon for the first time after the Apollo 17 mission. The missions will also send the first woman and first person of colour to the lunar surface. This is most likely the description of
1. Voyager-2 Space Probe
2. Artemis program
3. New Horizons Mission
4. DART Mission
Answer: Artemis program
Solution: CAPSTONE Launches to Test New Orbit for NASA's Artemis Moon Missions. NASA's Artemis mission aims to put humans back on the moon for the first time after the Apollo 17 mission, fifty years ago. The space agency has built the most powerful rocket ever, the Space Launch System SLS, which will carry all the spacecraft part of Artemis missions. The Artemis missions will also send the first woman and first person of colour to the lunar surface. The expected launch time for Artemis 1 is August 2022, though earlier this was supposed to be in May 2022.

Q5. The James Webb Space Telescope was launched in December 2021 through.
1. Arian 2 rocket
2. Arian 4 rocket
3. Arian 5 rocket
4. Arian 1 rocket
Answer: Arian 5 rocket
Solution: The James Webb Space Telescope JWST is a 21st-century international space observatory that was launched on December 25, 2021. It arrived just at Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point in January 2022. An Ariane 5 rocket carried the James Webb Space Telescope into orbit. The European Space Agency's contribution to the mission includes the launch vehicle and launch site.

Q6. In December 2022 which of the following Arab countries launched lunar spacecraft?
1. UAE
2. Saudi Arab
3. Qatar
4. Kuwait
Answer: UAE
Solution: UAE successfully launches first-ever Arab-Built lunar spacecraft. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried into space the first ever Arab-built lunar spacecraft, on 12 Dec 2022. It was launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The Rashid Rover was built by Dubai's Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre MBRSC, in the United Arab Emirates UAE, and is being delivered by the HAKUTO-R lander, engineered by a Japanese lunar exploration company in space.

Q7. _____'s rover Perseverance to begin dropping samples of rock on surface of the Planet _____
1. Roscosmos, Jupiter
2. ISRO, Mars
3. NASA, Mars
4. JAXA, Earth
Answer: NASA, Mars
Solution: NASA's Mars rover Perseverance to begin dropping samples of rock on the surface of the Red Planet Mars. The materials have been packaged in small titanium tubes with the expectation they can be picked up by a future mission and brought home. It is a major milestone in the try to find out whether there is life on Mars. Perseverance will place 10 cylinders on the ground at its exploration site in Jezero Crater. They contain a mix of volcanic and sedimentary rocks that the robot has drilled over the past 15 months. The location for the drop is a flat piece of terrain that's been nicknamed Three Forks.

Q8. Artemis III is a mission of which among the following space agencies?
1. CNSA
2. ISRO
3. ESA
4. NASA
Answer: NASA
Solution: Artemis III is a mission under NASA's Artemis program, aiming to land the first woman and the next man on the Moon. The mission is planned to land on the lunar South Pole region by 2025. It aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon, paving the way for future missions to Mars. The Artemis program is named after the Greek goddess of the Moon and twin sister of Apollo, the namesake of the original Moon missions.

Q9. Consider the following statements regarding Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope:
1. Its objective is to aid in the understanding of dark energy, dark matter, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics.
2. It will be situated or parked in the Lagrange point.
3. Its field view will be greater than the Hubble Telescope.
Which of the above statements are correct?
1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: 1, 2 and 3
Solution: The Hindu: Scientists have created a gargantuan synthetic survey of a section of the universe that shows what we can expect from the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope's future observations. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope or Roman Space Telescope RST is a NASA deep space infrared observatory. RST will help answer essential astrophysics questions about dark energy, dark matter, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics. Hence statement 1 is correct. It is set to launch around 2026 or 2027. The mission is projected to last for five years. RST will be situated at Lagrange point 2, a stable gravitational point between Earth and the Sun. Hence statement 2 is correct. The primary mirror of the RST has a diameter of 2.4 meters, the same size as the mirror of the Hubble Space Telescope. It will have a field of view that is 100 times greater than the Hubble infrared instrument, capturing more of the sky with less observing time. Hence statement 3 is correct.

Q10. In May 2023, a Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of dragon spacecraft launched from Florida. It is a mission of which of the following?
1. Blue Origin
2. ISRO
3. Space X
4. NASA
Answer: Space X
Solution: Falcon 9 rocket with crew dragon spacecraft launched from Florida. The Falcon 9 carrier rocket, along with the Crew Dragon spacecraft and a commercial crew of four people, has successfully launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, according to SpaceX. The mission, called Axiom Mission 2 Ax-2, was launched at 5:37 p.m. Eastern Time 21:37 GMT on Sunday. The first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket is expected to land at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, which is located near the launch site. Axiom Space, based in Houston, is sending a commercial crew to the International Space Station ISS for the second time. The Ax-2 crew consists of retired NASA astronaut commander Peggy Whitson, US pilot John Shoffner, Saudi fighter pilot Ali Alqarni, and research technician Rayyanah Barnawi, who will be the first Saudi woman in space. The Ax-2 crew will join the regular crew at the ISS and participate in scientific work during their mission. Axiom Space's first crewed mission Ax-1 took place in April 2022.

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Also, Read about Axiom 4 Mission (Ax-4) for UPSC

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