CICERO

CICERO [LASP]

CICERO (Community Initiative for Cellular Earth Remote Observation) is an array of 24+low-Earth Orbiting (LEO) micro-satellites for performing GPS and Galileo radio occultation (GNSS-RO) of Earth’s atmosphere and surface remote sensing by GNSS reflection. The system will deliver critical data on the state of the earth to scientists and decision makers worldwide. Products will include high-accuracy profiles of atmospheric pressure, temperature, and moisture; 3D maps of the electron distribution in the ionosphere; and a variety of ocean and ice properties. Principal applications will be weather forecasting, climate research, and space weather monitoring.

CICERO will be built up over time, starting with the launch of a first spacecraft in late 2014. The initial operational constellation (CICERO-I) will consist of 12 LEOs in multiple orbit planes for broad global coverage. CICERO-I is scheduled to become fully operational in 2017.

The first one or two satellites are planned to be launched in 2014 with the initial constellation becoming operational in 2017. For later launches, GeoOptics reportedly has an agreement with Virgin Galactic to use the LauncherOne rocket.