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Hydrospheric and Biospheric Sciences Laboratory (614)

Hydrospheric and Biospheric Sciences Laboratory (614)

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Cryospheric research within the Branch addresses the physics of ice sheets and glaciers, sea ice, snow on ice and land, and their roles in the global climate system. Laboratory technology efforts develop new approaches to remote sensing measurements of critical physical processes. Previous Laboratory research, which led to the TOPEX/Poseidon mission, has now led also to Goddard leadership of the ICESat/GLAS altimeter—including present Laboratory support of GLAS data processing—plus ice sheet altimetry, the Mars Orbiting Laser Altimeter (MOLA), and our strong airborne ice topography validation program. We expect these activities to continue. Despite problems with the instrument, ICESat has produced stunning results that extend well beyond the planned polar ice sheet program goals to include sea ice measurements and new applications to Earth topology and even land water run-off and forest height measurements. For the Laboratory, Goddard and NASA, this is an on-going development of highest priority with broad, across-the-board application for Earth science needs and we expect Laboratory staff to assist with a long-lifetime, advanced-laser ICESat follow-on mission proposal.

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