Cloudsat (ESSP 4, P00-4)

Cloudsat [NASA]

CloudSat is a satellite which uses millimeter-wavelength radar to measure the altitude and properties of clouds. Advanced cloud-profiling radar gathers information on the vertical structure of highly dynamic cloud systems. This new information provides the first global measurements of cloud properties that will help scientists compile a database of cloud measurements to improve how clouds are represented in global climate and numerical weather prediction models.

Ball Aerospace was building the BCP-2000 spacecraft, testing and integrating the payload, and performed launch operation and initial on-orbit commissioning.

CloudSat was launched in April 2006 with CALIPSO on a Delta-7420-10C launch vehicle from Vandenberg AFB.