A coordinated NASA observing system for monitoring the next decade of ice sheet-climate interactions

Peter Washam, Marianna Marquadt, Tasha Snow, Ken Zhao, Mattia Poinelli, Olga Sergienko, Kimberly Casey, Naomi Ochwat, Schmitty Thompson, Thomas Teisberg, Eric Rignot, Isabella Velicogna, Chad Greene, Alan Gaul, Elena Dworak, Andrew Thompson, Vanessa Hawkins, Catherine Walker, Joel T. Johnson, Sierra Streit, Helen Fricker

Sea level rise is a global problem that is currently shrouded in uncertainty. The next decade of
NASA research priorities must address key unknowns and monitor ongoing changes in the ice sheet-ocean system in order to improve sea level rise projections and equip government officials to legislate the appropriate policies. This will require a coordinated observing system that combines satellite remote sensing with suborbital approaches to extend the reach of satellite measurements. The fifth International Polar Year (IPY5) will take place in 2032 –2033; this international incentive provides an opportunity to leverage shared logistics between nations to collect valuable suborbital observations. The following effort summarizes four pertinent research questions that we believe should guide NASA's next decade of planning for cryosphere research, with specific recommendations as to how to address these questions.