Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats
 TROPICS satellites | |
| Names | TROPICS |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Earth observation |
| Operator | NASA |
| Website | https://science.nasa.gov/missions/tropics |
| Mission duration | 1 year (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | TROPICS |
| Spacecraft type | 3U CubeSat |
| Bus | Blue Canyon Technologies |
| Manufacturer | Payload designed and built by MIT Lincoln Laboratory |
| Launch mass | 5.34 kg (11.8 lb) |
| Dimensions | 10 cm x 10 cm x 34 cm |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | March–May 2022[1][2] |
| Rocket | Rocket 3 |
| Launch site | Kwajalein Atoll |
| Contractor | Astra Space |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Low Earth Orbit |
| Altitude | 600 km |
| Inclination | 30.0° |
| Instruments | |
| Microwave radiometer | |
Earth System Science Pathfinder [3] | |
The Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) mission [4] is a constellation of six small satellites (CubeSat 3U size) that will measure temperature and moisture profiles and precipitation in tropical systems with unprecedented temporal frequency. This data will enable scientists to study the dynamic processes that occur in the inner core of the storm resulting in rapid genesis and intensification.[5] William Blackwell of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, Massachusetts is the principal investigator.[6][7] The constellation will be delivered to orbit on three launches between March and May 2022.[1]
Mission overview[edit]
TROPICS will perform very frequent measurements, similar to X-rays, that cut through the overall cloud-cover to see the storm's underlying structure. The storm structures known as the eyewall – tall clouds, wind and rain around the eye – and rainbands – the rainy parts of the spiral arms – give us clues about whether a storm is primed to intensify into a category 4 or 5 storm, something everyone in their path needs to know.[8]
TROPICS will consist of six 3U size CubeSats, each about one foot long and weighing just 5.34 kg (11.8 lb)[citation needed], that use scanning microwave radiometers to measure temperature, humidity, precipitation and cloud properties.[6] The CubeSats will be launched into three separate orbital planes to enable the overall constellation to monitor changes in tropical cyclones as frequently as every 21 minutes.[7] Each CubeSat will host a high-performance radiometer scanning across the satellite track at 30 RPM to provide temperature profiles using seven channels near the 118.75 GHz oxygen absorption line, water vapor profiles using 3 channels near the 183 GHz water vapor absorption line, imagery in a single channel near 90 GHz for precipitation measurements, and a single channel at 206 GHz for cloud ice measurements.[9] The investigation was selected from NASA's third Earth Venture Instrument competition.[7][3]
Langley Research Center is the NASA Center leading the mission.[10]
TROPICS Pathfinder[edit]
The TROPICS Pathfinder mission, consisting of a single CubeSat, was approved by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) Program Office in order to demonstrate the technologies planned for use on TROPICS in advance of the constellation's launch.[11]
TROPICS Pathfinder was launched on 30 June 2021 via SpaceX's Transporter-2 rideshare mission on a Falcon 9 rocket.[12]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "NASA LSP Fact Sheet for Venture Class – One-Off Venture Class Missions and Contracts" (PDF). Kennedy Space Center. NASA. 1 May 2021. p. 3. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
- ^ "NASA Awards Launch Service Contract for TROPICS Mission to Study Storm Processes" (Press release). NASA. 26 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP)". NASA. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Mission Overview". Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) mission. NASA. Retrieved 13 October 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "TROPICS". NASA Earth Science DISASTERS Program. NASA. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b "EVI-3 Investigation Summary: Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS)" (PDF). NASA. September 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b c "NASA Selects Instruments to Study Air Pollution, Tropical Cyclones". NASA Earth. NASA. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Small Satellites for Earth Science". Goddard Media Studios. NASA Goddard. 7 November 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Mission Overview". Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) mission. MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Retrieved 13 October 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "ELV Payload Safety Missions in work" (PDF). NASA Technical Library Public Search Engine. NASA Kennedy. September 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Momentus Awarded NASA TROPICS Pathfinder Mission". Momentus Space (Press release). PRWeb. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
- ^ Foy, Kylie (30 June 2021). "Pathfinder Satellite Paves Way for Constellation of Tropical-storm Observers". NASA. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the