New CubeSats to test Earth science tech in space

Wednesday, February 24, 2016 - 07:00 in Astronomy & Space

Sometimes we need to leave our home planet to better understand it. Before Earth-observing missions launch, NASA must verify instruments on board will work as expected. This is not always an easy task when space presents such a different environment than Earth. But thanks to CubeSats, cube-shaped satellites that can be small enough to fit in the palm of your hand or as big as a large shoebox, testing new technologies in space is easier than ever. To take advantage of the space-bound opportunities these small satellites offer, the Earth Science Technology office, or ESTO, part of NASA's Earth Science Division, has selected four new projects to be developed, built and launched into low-Earth orbit. These four projects will test emerging technologies that could enable new and improved understanding of the planet. These include two projects from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California.

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