Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
NASA aircraft to carry out ongoing survey of polar ice caps
PALMDALE — A NASA research aircraft is to take off from the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility near Palmdale on Sunday, kicking off the second year of what the space agency calls the largest airborne survey ever of the Earth's polar ice.
The DC-8 airborne science laboratory is scheduled to arrive in Greenland on Monday as part of Operation IceBridge.
From there, scientists and flight crews expect to carry out 10-12 missions over the Arctic over a five week period, recording changes in the extent and thickness of polar ice.
"The first priority is to survey Arctic sea ice, which reaches its maximum extent each year in March or early April,'' according to a NASA statement. "High- and low-altitude flights also will survey Greenland's ice sheets and outer glaciers.''
The DC-8 and a smaller aircraft — a P-3B — will be equipped with an Airborne Topographic Mapper, which measures changes in the surface elevation of ice by bouncing laser beams from the ground back to the aircraft and converting the readings into elevation maps.
Another laser altimeter — the Land, Vegetation and Ice Sensor — is used at higher altitudes and can survey larger areas more quickly.
More information on Operation IceBridge can be reached at www.nasa.gov/icebridge.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
