Fibertek Celebrates 2 Trillionth Laser Pulse on NASA’s ICESat-2 Mission

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Fibertek proudly celebrates the achievement of 2 trillion laser shots fired from NASA’s ICESat-2 satellite in March 2025, marking more than six years of continuous, high-performance operation on orbit. This milestone highlights the reliability and impact of the laser and detection technologies developed, qualified, and delivered by Fibertek for the ICESat-2 mission.
Launched in September 2018, ICESat-2 was designed to operate for three years. Now in its 6th year of service—more than 2 times its original mission life—the satellite continues to provide critical data for measuring ice sheet elevation, sea ice thickness, forest canopy heights, and more. At the heart of this mission’s success are the high-reliability lasers and advanced detection electronics supplied by Fibertek.
“Our team takes great pride in supporting NASA’s vision with robust and innovative laser systems,” said Nicholas Sawruk, Senior Vice President at Fibertek. “Surpassing 2 trillion laser pulses with very little performance degradation is a testament to the engineering excellence and dedication of the Fibertek team.”
The laser technology developed for ICESat-2 has not only enabled the mission’s scientific breakthroughs—it has also laid the foundation for a new generation of optical sensing systems. Fibertek continues to expand on this heritage with advanced lidar solutions for upcoming planetary landing missions, and high-power space-based sensing systems with ten times the power of the original ICESat-2 lasers.
The ICESat-2 laser legacy underscores a broader impact: Fibertek’s technology continues to offer a unique and differentiated sensing capability that supports national priorities and a growing range of customers across the aerospace community.
With a team of 240 professionals, Fibertek specializes in laser, lidar, and optical communications systems that are redefining what’s possible in space exploration and defense. The company remains committed to advancing photonic technologies that deliver state-of -the -art precision, reliability, and mission success.
About FibertekFibertek is an aerospace company headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, focused on delivering high-reliability, long-duration laser, lidar, detector, and optical communication systems for space-based applications. With decades of experience supporting NASA missions—including CALIPSO, ICESat-2, and CATS—as well as national security space programs, Fibertek provides advanced photonic technologies that enable mission-critical sensing and communications.The company designs and delivers customized, high-TRL laser and electro-optical systems across the visible, 1 µm, 1.5 µm, and 2 µm wavelengths, supporting maritime, airborne, terrestrial, and space-based missions. Fibertek also develops precision laser communication terminals for low Earth orbit (LEO), geostationary orbit (GEO), and deep-space missions, featuring advanced pointing, acquisition, and tracking capabilities.
Learn more at www.fibertek.com