CICERO: Nanosat arrays for continuous Earth remote observation

摘要

CICERO (Community Initiative for Continuous Earth Remote Observation) is a grassroots effort to deploy a nanosat-based cellular observing system to acquire global Earth and environmental data from low Earth orbit at extremely low cost. CICERO will place micro-sensors on nanosats (or cells) in large numbers for diverse remote sensing applications. Scores of cells will combine to form a global supersensor of enormous power. Produced by the dozen, these tiny craft will cost little to build and launch. The cellular model will improve measurement sensitivity by an order of magnitude at a fraction of today's system costs. GeoOptics has developed an array of novel cellular observing technologies, from sensor and nanosat designs to unique on-orbit cell configurations, to maximize information return. The approach consolidates diverse sensing techniques into integrated sensors to yield a breadth of products. CICERO will offer frequent launches to expedite deployment of new sensors.