NASA’s miniaturized microwave radiometer, developed for the TROPICS hurricane-observing mission, has transitioned from government research to commercial operations, becoming a core instrument aboard Tomorrow.io’s growing weather-forecasting constellation. The move underscores a maturing model where public investment in Earth science catalyzes private-sector services that deliver faster, denser observations for meteorology and risk management. Source: NASA.
From TROPICS to a Commercial Constellation
TROPICS — Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of SmallSats — launched in 2023 to capture rapid-refresh views inside tropical cyclones. Its compact atmospheric sounder shrank the functionality of traditional, washing-machine–sized microwave radiometers into an instrument that fits on a CubeSat. Backed by NASA’s Earth Science Division and an early 2010 award through the Earth Science Technology Office, the effort yielded an ultra-compact receiver weighing about a pound that senses storm-internal microwave emissions, enabling retrievals of humidity, temperature, and wind-related parameters.
From low-Earth orbit, these measurements feed models that analyze convective structure and precipitation processes. Frequent sampling improves short-term forecast skill, supports aviation routing and maritime operations, and strengthens severe weather alerts.
Integration with Tomorrow.io
Tomorrow.io adapted the TROPICS instrument design for a larger 6U CubeSat platform, adding onboard calibration to enhance data accuracy and long-term stability. The company launched its first atmospheric sounders, Tomorrow‑S1 and Tomorrow‑S2, in 2024 and targets a full constellation by the end of 2025. With a fleet on orbit, planned revisit rates under one hour — often 40–45 minutes in many regions — aim to capture rapid storm evolution that conventional systems can miss.
The constellation strategy extends beyond passive microwave sounding. Tomorrow.io previously deployed two radar satellites in 2023 influenced by NASA’s RainCube, the first active precipitation radar flown on a CubeSat, broadening observational capability across rain rate and storm structure.
Why It Matters
Short-lived mesoscale features drive high-impact weather, from rapid intensification in tropical cyclones to severe convective bursts. Higher temporal cadence from many small satellites increases the odds of observing these changes as they unfold. In practice, that translates into better nowcasting, more reliable model initialization, and improved situational awareness for sectors sensitive to weather variability.
The collaboration also demonstrates a sustainable pathway for Earth-observation innovation. NASA and its partners de-risk early-stage technologies; industry scales and operationalizes them; and agencies can procure cost-effective commercial data. In September 2024, Tomorrow.io was among eight providers selected under NASA’s Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition (CSDA) program to furnish datasets that supplement legacy missions.
Key Milestones
- Early 2000s–2010s: NASA invests in miniaturizing microwave sounding components for small satellites.
- 2010: Development of an ultra-compact receiver enables a complete CubeSat-scale atmospheric sounder.
- 2023: Four TROPICS CubeSats begin collecting interior storm data worldwide.
- 2023: Two radar satellites influenced by RainCube enhance commercial precipitation sensing.
- 2024: Tomorrow‑S1 and Tomorrow‑S2 launch with TROPICS-derived sounders.
- 2024: Selection under NASA’s CSDA program to provide commercial data.
- 2025 (planned): Expansion toward a full constellation targeting sub-hour global revisit.
What to Watch Next
As additional satellites come online, attention will focus on calibration stability, cross-sensor harmonization, and assimilation performance in numerical weather prediction. Interleaving commercial soundings with existing international microwave sensors could sharpen analyses of tropical cyclone intensity changes, rainfall distribution, and boundary-layer dynamics.
The TROPICS-to-commercial transition marks a broader trend: compact, resilient instruments delivering operational value at lower cost. With more frequent passes over rapidly evolving storms and a maturing data-buy framework, stakeholders can expect faster, richer environmental intelligence feeding weather models and decision-support tools.
