NASA has launched two small satellites into the low Earth orbit, which will help better monitor hurricanes. The launch was a partof the TROPICS mission.
2
Launch
The two shoe-boxed-sized satellites, called CubeSats, lifted off from the launch complex in Mahia, New Zealand.
3
TROPICS mission
The TROPICS mission will ultimately form a constellation of four identical CubeSats which are designed to observe tropical cyclones.
4
Studying stormsfrom space
These satellites will conduct observations every hour as opposed to current weather-tracking satellites, which monitor every six hours.
5
Track storms better
The second pair of CubeSats, which will complete the TROPICS satellite constellation, is expected to take off in about two weeks.