Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System

CYGNSS
Concept art of CYGNSS above a hurricane
Mission typeWeather research
OperatorNASA
COSPAR ID2016-078A, 2016-078B, 2016-078C, 2016-078D, 2016-078E, 2016-078F, 2016-078G, 2016-078H
SATCAT no.41884, 41885, 41886, 41887, 41888, 41889, 41890, 41891
Websitecygnss-michigan.org
Mission durationPlanned: 2 years
Elapsed: 7 years, 11 months, 10 days
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer
Launch mass28.9 kg (64 lb) each[1][2]
Dimensions163.5 × 52.1 × 22.9 cm (64.4 × 20.5 × 9.0 in)[1]
(L x W x D)
Power34.7 watts
Start of mission
Launch dateDecember 15, 2016, 13:37:21 (2016-12-15UTC13:37:21) UTC[4]
RocketPegasus XL F43[2]
Launch siteCape Canaveral (Stargazer)
ContractorOrbital ATK
Entered serviceMarch 23, 2017[3]
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
Semi-major axis6,903 km (4,289 mi)
Eccentricity0.00162
Perigee altitude514 km (319 mi)
Apogee altitude536 km (333 mi)
Inclination35 degrees
Period95.1 minutes
EpochApril 15, 2017, 22:21:25 UTC[5]
Instruments
Delay Doppler Mapping Instrument

The Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) is a space-based system developed by the University of Michigan and Southwest Research Institute with the aim of improving hurricane forecasting by better understanding the interactions between the sea and the air near the core of a storm.

In June 2012, NASA sponsored the project for $152 million with the University of Michigan leading its development.[6][7] Other participants in CYGNSS' development include the Southwest Research Institute, Sierra Nevada Corporation, and Surrey Satellite Technology.[8]

The plan was to build a constellation of eight micro-satellites to be launched simultaneously in a single launch vehicle[9] into low Earth orbit,[7] [10] at 500 km altitude.[11] The program was scheduled to launch December 12, 2016, and then observe two hurricane seasons.[12][13] Problems with a pump on the launching aircraft prevented this first launch, but a second launch attempt took place successfully on December 15, 2016. In 2022, one of the satellites, FM06, abruptly ceased operations.[14]

  1. ^ a b "CYGNSS Press Kit" (PDF). NASA. December 16, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 8, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Graham, William (December 15, 2016). "Pegasus launches CYGNSS constellation following Stargazer release". NASA Spaceflight. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  3. ^ "NASA's CYGNSS Satellite Constellation Enters Science Operations Phase". NASA. March 31, 2017. Archived from the original on June 29, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference sfnow20161215 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "CYGNSS - Orbit". Heavens-Above. April 15, 2017.
  6. ^ "U-M To Lead $152M NASA Satellite Project". Associated Press. June 19, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  7. ^ a b Clark, Stephen (June 21, 2012). "NASA funds satellite mission to measure hurricane winds". SpaceflightNow. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  8. ^ "NASA Selects Low Cost, High Science Earth Venture Space System". NASA. June 18, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  9. ^ "U-M to Lead $150M NASA Hurricane Prediction Project". University of Michigan. June 19, 2012. Archived from the original on June 23, 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  10. ^ Aldridge, James (June 21, 2012). "NASA taps SwRI on research effort to map hurricanes". San Antonio Business Journal. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference UMich factsheet was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ "CYGNSS Mission". University of Michigan. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  13. ^ "University of Michigan, NASA team up for hurricane satellite project". Michigan Radio. June 19, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  14. ^ "Notes from the Field - Happy Sixth Birthday to the CYGNSS Constellation". NASA Earth Observatory. December 15, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2023.