COSMIC-2 | NESDIS | National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service
Source: https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/current-satellite-missions/currently-flying/cosmic-2
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:18
COSMIC-2 | NESDIS | National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service
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COSMIC-2
What is COSMIC-2?
To make accurate weather forecasts, meteorologists need a continuous source of data about our atmosphere. The Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate-2 (COSMIC-2) is made up of six remote-sensing smallsats that form a network.
Building upon the success of the COSMIC-1 program, the
COSMIC-2
smallsats are constantly orbiting Earth, collecting atmospheric data used for weather forecasting, space weather monitoring, and climate research.
NOAA is partnering with the U.S. Air Force (USAF), U.S. Space Force (USSF), Taiwan’s National Space Organization (NSPO), and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (
UCAR
) on this environmental satellite program.
Explore
Spacecraft
Spacecraft
Spacecraft
Launch/Orbit
Launch
Launch/Orbit
Data
Data
Data
Benefits
Benefits
Benefits
How does COSMIC-2 work?
This constellation of COSMIC satellites circles the equator at approximately 17,000 miles per hour and uses a technique called radio occultation to collect information on our planet’s atmosphere.
Here’s how it works:
Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites constantly send signals down to receivers on Earth, but those signals get distorted along the way because the density of Earth’s atmosphere changes with height. COSMIC-2 satellites can detect and measure any small bends in those signals just before they are cut off by Earth’s horizon. The measurements made during the three-minute period before the radio signal is cut off are known as radio occultation, and these data are what gives scientists near real-time information about the Earth’s atmosphere including conditions such as: temperature, pressure, density and water vapor.
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Skip to main content
Official websites use .gov
A
.gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock
(
) or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
COSMIC-2
What is COSMIC-2?
To make accurate weather forecasts, meteorologists need a continuous source of data about our atmosphere. The Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate-2 (COSMIC-2) is made up of six remote-sensing smallsats that form a network.
Building upon the success of the COSMIC-1 program, the
COSMIC-2
smallsats are constantly orbiting Earth, collecting atmospheric data used for weather forecasting, space weather monitoring, and climate research.
NOAA is partnering with the U.S. Air Force (USAF), U.S. Space Force (USSF), Taiwan’s National Space Organization (NSPO), and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (
UCAR
) on this environmental satellite program.
Explore
Spacecraft
Spacecraft
Spacecraft
Launch/Orbit
Launch
Launch/Orbit
Data
Data
Data
Benefits
Benefits
Benefits
How does COSMIC-2 work?
This constellation of COSMIC satellites circles the equator at approximately 17,000 miles per hour and uses a technique called radio occultation to collect information on our planet’s atmosphere.
Here’s how it works:
Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites constantly send signals down to receivers on Earth, but those signals get distorted along the way because the density of Earth’s atmosphere changes with height. COSMIC-2 satellites can detect and measure any small bends in those signals just before they are cut off by Earth’s horizon. The measurements made during the three-minute period before the radio signal is cut off are known as radio occultation, and these data are what gives scientists near real-time information about the Earth’s atmosphere including conditions such as: temperature, pressure, density and water vapor.
Note to screen-readers: This page is using an IFrame for the content-area, and you screen reader may not be abel to see it on this website.
For screen-reading purposes, please go directly to the IFrame's target page by going to
https://www.youtube.com/embed/zIDw4DyjR7o?rel=1
.
Related News
image
Announcement
NASA Awards Contracts for NOAA Coronagraph Instrument Phase A Study
NASA Awards Contracts for NOAA Coronagraph Instrument Phase A Study
May 2, 2023
image
Announcement
International Satellite Mission Providing New Insights on Earth’s Space Weather
The COSMIC-2 mission is helping scientists better understand and predict space weather events.
April 25, 2022
image
Announcement
COSMIC-2 Achieves Full Operational Capability
COSMIC-2 has passed its Full Operational Capability (FOC) review, which shows it is meeting or…
October 12, 2021
image
Announcement
Space and numerical weather prediction get a boost thanks to COSMIC-2 software update
Thanks to a software update, COSMIC-2 is gathering more data than ever since mission start.
June 30, 2021
View More
COSMIC