Satellite to measure Earth’s ice changes

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — A NASA satellite designed to precisely measure changes in Earth’s ice sheets, glaciers, sea ice and vegetation was launched into polar orbit from California early Saturday.

A Delta 2 rocket carrying ICE Sat-2 lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 6:02 a.m. PDT and headed over the Pacific Ocean. NASA Earth Science Division director Michael Freilich said the mission in particular will advance knowledge of how the ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica contribute to sea level rise.