NASA Launched 8 Small Satellites to Improve Hurricane Forecasts

Created by Shena Golosino Dec 13 2016, 04:07 AM EST

The American space agency NASA has recently launched the Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS), a group of eight micro-satellites. This cluster of satellites will intently observe weather and ocean patterns. Thus, it is a milestone in order to improve hurricane forecasts.

According to Science World Report, hurricane forecasts have been improving through the years. On the other hand, the current technology is just good in predicting the possible paths of hurricanes, rather than knowing the actual strengths.

Hurricanes can form from an open ocean, wherein lack of technology causes data holes. Hurricane aircraft may help in gathering measurements. However, the information on the storm itself during the development stages is really lacking.

The eight satellites that were launched by NASA will fill up these loopholes on the needed data for hurricane forecasts. Also, this cluster of satellites will definitely help in providing clearer view on the formation and sustenance of such hurricanes. CYGNSS will be receiving signals from GPS satellites. Moreover, it will not only position the system but it will also monitor the sea surface patterns.

Meanwhile, Space reported that this CYGNSS mission will be using radio signals from the GPS satellites. This will enable to measure up the wind speed near the tropical area of the Earth. It will be between 35 degrees north and 35 degrees south where most hurricanes are formed.

Wind speed is very essential to a gauge a hurricane's capacity. Well, the present satellite images of such storms can only be taken once in every three days. This is not so beneficial when it comes to updating the people who are living in affected areas.

"The mission will focus on surface winds, we can get information to better understand how those hurricanes grow." said Christine Bonniksen, the CYGNSS program executive at NASA, during a press conference Saturday (Dec. 10).

Overall, this mission may have cost $157 Million but it will truly be a great help in the long run for the safety of the people.