From 1999 to 2009, the QuikSCAT (Quick Scatterometer) satellite was in orbit estimating wind speed and direction on the ocean. Originally designed to operate for two or three years, it reached the end of its life, leaving NASA and NOAA looking for a replacement.
In late January, NASA with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory announced a replacement in the form of the ISS-RapidScat. The instrument will be attached to the International Space Station instead of being its own satellite. Before you think that is the best part, the instrument was built years ago to test the satellite that recently failed and is functional.
The basic function of a wind scatterometer is to measure the reflection or scattering effect of the earth's surface by using a microwave radar scanner.
Scatterometers and the International Space Station are in a low earth orbit, completing an orbit every hour and a half to two hours. Through a 24 hour period these satellites can see nearly the entire planet and scatterometers are great at scanning winds inside tropical cyclones, like the image QuikSCAT got of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
By attaching the new scatterometer to the space station, specifically the Columbus module, NASA and NOAA can save a good deal of money. It is slated to be an autonomous payload, meaning the astronauts will not need to interact with it unless it requires maintenance.
Under the current plan, the instrument will be launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft that periodically delivers supplies to the station.
In late January, NASA with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory announced a replacement in the form of the ISS-RapidScat. The instrument will be attached to the International Space Station instead of being its own satellite. Before you think that is the best part, the instrument was built years ago to test the satellite that recently failed and is functional.
The basic function of a wind scatterometer is to measure the reflection or scattering effect of the earth's surface by using a microwave radar scanner.
Scatterometers and the International Space Station are in a low earth orbit, completing an orbit every hour and a half to two hours. Through a 24 hour period these satellites can see nearly the entire planet and scatterometers are great at scanning winds inside tropical cyclones, like the image QuikSCAT got of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
By attaching the new scatterometer to the space station, specifically the Columbus module, NASA and NOAA can save a good deal of money. It is slated to be an autonomous payload, meaning the astronauts will not need to interact with it unless it requires maintenance.
Under the current plan, the instrument will be launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft that periodically delivers supplies to the station.
