CloudSat:
CloudSat is an experimental satellite that will use radar to study clouds and precipitation from space. CloudSat will fly in orbital formation as part of the A-Train constellation of satellites (Aqua, CloudSat, CALIPSO, PARASOL, and Aura).
CloudSat's trio of three satellites are the first spacecraft to study clouds on a global basis. They use an advanced radar to "slice" through clouds to see their vertical structure, providing a completely new observational capability from space (current weather satellites can only image the uppermost layers of clouds). CloudSat's primary goal is to furnish data needed to evaluate and improve the way clouds are represented in global models, thereby contributing to better predictions of clouds and thus to their poorly understood role in climate change and the cloud-climate feedback.
CloudSat is an international and interagency mission with project management by JPL. Partners include the Canadian Space Agency, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Department of Energy. Ball Aerospace is designing and building the spacecraft.
Visit the CloudSat Website
