NASA solicits proposals for Earth science research using observations from the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2), which was launched on September 15, 2018. The Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) instrument on ICESat-2 is the most advanced, highest-resolution altimetry instrument ever placed in Earth orbit. ATLAS is a photon-counting lidar with six beams and ICESat-2's near-polar orbit is optimized to enable it to characterize elevation changes in Earth’s polar ice. The mission collects measurements globally – away from the poles – particularly to enable independent determination of vegetation height, but also to support research in hydrology, oceanography, atmospheric sciences, and other Earth and applied sciences. Given the exciting scientific opportunities presented by the mission's unprecedented volume of high-resolution Earth observations, for proposers to this program element NASA requires Open Science approaches to accelerate the pace of scientific advancement. NASA also encourages researchers to utilize emerging methods in scientific data analysis, including but not limited to: machine learning, cloud-based processing, and integration of ICESat-2 results with advanced Earth system models. Principal Investigators (PI) of the proposals selected under this program have additional responsibilities as members of the ICESat-2 Science Team (I2ST).
Deadlines:
- Notice of Intent: Sep. 14, 2022
- Proposal: Oct. 12, 2022
This program element solicits proposals to pursue any research topic using ICESat-2 observations and advancing the Earth Science goals articulated in the NASA 2018 Strategic Plan and 2020 SCIENCE 2020-2024: A Vision for Scientific Excellence (both of which may be found at 34T 34T http://science.nasa.gov/about-us/science-strategy/ ).
Two categories of proposals are solicited. ICESat-2 data need to be central for either category:
(a) Investigations that are using ICESat-2 data to address major needs, gaps or uncertainties in knowledge in Earth Science and especially cryospheric science as identified, for example, by the latest IPCC report 34T 34T https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/ the Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate https://www.ipcc.ch/srocc/ 34T 34T 34T , or the IARPC Arctic Research Plan https://www.iarpccollaborations.org/arctic-research-plan-2022-2026.html .
(b) Investigations of exploratory nature. Efforts that aim to extract novel information from ICESat-2 data or are using ICESat-2 to investigate parts of the Earth System in a new way are especially encouraged.
Overall priority will be given to investigations focused on land and sea ice in the Earth's polar regions. Other areas of Earth science research will be considered at a lower priority, but NASA anticipates supporting several such investigations.