NASA Shrinks Satellites

According to an article on cnet.com, NASA is testing smaller satellites to get a better look inside storms. Recently, NASA has tested a satellite about the size of a shoebox and have been receiving promising results. NASA's department Jet Propulsion Laboratory is testing RainCube to see if the smaller satellites can produce more information in a shorter amount of time. These satellites would be more cost-effective than those being currently used. These smaller satellites would fly together (the article gives the examples of a flock of geese) and track real time information on things like rain, hail, snow, and sleet. The RainCube only weighs 26 pounds, and signals from its antenna bounces off raindrops and sends back information. NASA, although excited about this new device, does mention that these will not provide a global view of storms but is definitely better at understanding specific storms.

The RainCube

https://www.cnet.com/news/nasa-shrinks-weather-satellites-way-down-to-better-see-inside-storms/