WindCube

WindCube
Spacecraft WindCube
Form factor CubeSat
Units or mass 6U
Status not launched, expected in 2025
Launcher not launched
Organisation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
Institution Institute
Entity type Government (Civil / Military)
Headquarters US
Operator In-house?
Costs $6.5 million
Oneliner

Study the influence of thermospheric winds on the Earth’s ionosphere.

Description

Study the influence of thermospheric winds on the earth’s ionosphere. Its scientific payload is a limb viewing Fabry Pérot Interferometer (étalon) specially designed to fit into a 10cm x 10cm cross-sectional assembly. WindCube will make global maps of wind speed derived from the doppler shifted emission of the 630.0nm oxygen line (1D > 3P), at altitudes near 250km. Projected performance includes wind speed retrievals every 10 seconds with an accuracy of 5m/s, a vertical resolution of 63km, and a horizontal resolution of 100km.

Sources [1] [2] [3]
Photo sources [1]

Last modified: 2023-06-03

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Created by Erik Kulu

Email: erik.kulu@nanosats.eu
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erikkulu

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