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Cloud Satellite Project Description
CloudSAT will use advanced radar to "slice" through clouds to see their vertical structure, providing a completely new observational capability from space. Current satellites can only image the uppermost layers of clouds. CloudSAT will be one of the first satellites to study clouds on a global basis. It will look at their structure, composition and effects. This is a cooperative mission with Canada. Air quality, weather models, water management, aviation safety, disaster management. LAUNCH: Launched: 2006-04-28 Launch Site: Western Test Range, Vandenberg Air Force Base ORBIT: Altitude: 705 km Sun-Synchronous VITAL STATISTICS: Weight: 999 kg Power: 700 watts Design Life: 2 years INSTRUMENTS: 94 GHz Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) For more information, see http://cloudsat.atmos.colostate.edu/ |
