Israeli-German CloudCT Satellite Sends First Images From Orbit

The first CloudCT satellite, a joint project between Israel's Technion and Weizmann Institute and Germany's Telematics Center, has transmitted its initial images from space. The satellite measures not only light intensity but also its polarization, a key parameter for studying cloud structures. The first observation was made over the Baltic Sea, targeting central France.

Launched on July 7, this initial satellite is a test unit. The full CloudCT system is planned to comprise ten nanosatellites, each weighing approximately four kilograms. These satellites will simultaneously observe the same cloud from different angles, enabling computer algorithms to reconstruct its three-dimensional structure, similar to medical CT scans.

Researchers aim to gather data on water distribution within clouds, droplet sizes, and how these parameters change with altitude. This information is particularly crucial for understanding small, warm clouds that are difficult for current satellite systems to study but significantly impact Earth's energy balance and climate models. While the current images are not yet full "cloud CT" scans, they confirm the successful operation of the satellite's polarization camera in space.