NASA | Operation IceBridge: A Science Lab in the Arctic Sky

NASA's Operation Icebridge is a mission to monitor changes in Earth's polar ice cover using a DC-8 aircraft equipped with advanced instruments. The mission involves daily flights from Greenland, where scientists use tools like laser altimeters, radars, and gravimeters to measure ice thickness and surface characteristics. The DC-8, a robust aircraft from the 1970s, supports these missions despite its age. The campaign is set to continue with flights over Antarctica, using both the DC-8 and the P3B aircraft.

What is the primary goal of NASA's Operation Icebridge?

• To monitor changes in Earth's polar ice cover

• To study the atmosphere of Mars

• To explore new planets

• To develop new aircraft technology

Which technology does the Airborne Topographic Mapper (ATM) use to measure ice surfaces?

• Sonar technology

• Magnetic resonance

• Infrared imaging

• Laser altimeter technology

What is the function of the gravimeter introduced on the DC-8?

• To detect magnetic fields

• To capture high-resolution images

• To map gravity differences between rock, water, and ice

• To measure air pressure

What is a notable feature of the DC-8 aircraft used in Operation Icebridge?

• It is a single-engine aircraft

• It can perform low-altitude flights despite not being originally designed for it

• It can fly at 60,000 feet for 24 hours

• It was designed for high-speed travel

Which aircraft will continue the Icebridge mission after the DC-8 returns to California?

• The Boeing 747

• The Airbus A380

• The Space Shuttle

• NASA's P-3B airplane