Page 7 - Aerotech News and Review, Sept. 21 2018

LAUNCH, from 6
cryosphere program scientist in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
In recent years, contributions from melting ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland alone have raised global sea level by more than a millimeter a year, and the rate is increasing. ICESat-2 data will help researchers improve forecasts of future sea level changes and connect those changes to spe- cific climate drivers. Polar ice sheets reflect some of the Sun’s heat back into space. When floating sea ice melts, it doesn’t change sea level but its loss exposes dark water that absorbs solar heat. This results in temperature changes that alter wind and ocean circulation patters, potentially affecting Earth’s global weather and climate.
“ATLAS required us to develop new technolo- gies to get the measurements needed by scientists to advance the research,” said Doug McLennan, ICESat-2 project manager at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. “That meant we had to engineer a satellite instrument that not only will collect incredibly precise data, but will collect more than 250 times as many height mea- surements as its predecessor.”
The ATLAS instrument was designed to mea- sure not only ice, but also ocean and land surfaces including forests. Researchers can use the resulting data to estimate the amount of carbon stored in the world’s forests, study reservoir levels, or estimate tree density to improve forecasting of wildfires. Operators of oceangoing vessels can use ATLAS sea ice thickness measurements for navigation and forecasting.
The Delta II booster used to loft ICESat-2 was the last of its kind to be flown, ending a career that began in February 1989. Originally manu- factured by McDonnell Douglas, which merged with Boeing in 1997, the Delta II had an excellent
success rate. Out of 155 launches there was only one catastrophic failure and one partial failure that placed a satellite into a lower orbit than desired. The company retired the Delta II because it has been surpassed by new rocket technology and be- cause some of the necessary components are no longer available.
Since December 2006, United Launch Alliance (ULA) — a joint venture between Lockheed Mar-
tin Space Systems and Boeing Defense, Space & Security — has provided launch services for the Delta II fleet. Following the ICESat-2 launch, ULA president and CEO Tory Bruno announced that enough spare parts remained in stock to assemble a Delta II “shell” for museum display. This construct will join a collection of historic launch vehicles in the Rocket Garden at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
“The Delta II rocket has been a venerable work- horse for NASA and civilian scientists, the U.S. military, and commercial clients throughout its almost 30 years of service,” said Bruno. “This program comes to a close with the final launch of NASA’s ICESat-2, but its legacy will continue and the Visitor Complex will help us keep the story of the success of this much-revered rocket in the hearts and minds of the public.”
An artist’s impression of the ICESat-2 in orbit.
NASA illustration
ALL EYEGLASSES BUY ONE GET ONE
50% OFF*
EDWARDS AFB (661) 258-7273
MARCH AFB
Outside Main Exchange next to GNC
(951) 656-9204
Eye Exam Available by Independent Doctors of Optometry
Dr. Larson
(951) 656-9218
• TRICARE accepted • Appointments are available • Walk-ins are welcome
*50% off 2nd pair must be of equal or lesser value as the first pair purchased. Purchase of two complete pairs (frame and lenses) of eyeglasses required. Second pair must be purchased with the first pair and at the same date and time. Cannot be combined with any other discount, coupon or insurance plan. No dispensing fee. All eyeglass purchases require a current, valid prescription. Valid at participating Vista Optical Centers only. This advertisement is neither paid for nor sponsored in whole or any part by any element of the United States government. Offer expires 09/30/2018. ©2018 National Vision, Inc.
AerotechNews-5x6.5_18Q3.indd 1
8/17/18 7:53 AM
September 21, 2018
Aerotech News and Review
7
www.aerotechnews.com ........ facebook.com/aerotechnewsandreview