In 1964, NASA first tracked a satellite with lasers; the method later helped measure sea-level rise and ice loss

In 1964, NASA researchers made history by tracking a satellite for the first time using a laser beam. Leveraging spare radar components and a ruby laser, this groundbreaking experiment laid the foundation for modern satellite laser ranging technology. Today, this innovative method provides critical data on global sea-level rise and polar ice melt, allowing scientists to monitor planetary shifts with remarkable accuracy, measuring changes down to the millimeter.