AURA Satellite

AURA Satellite

 

 Explain what the letters in its name stand for: The name of the satellite is a Latin word and it is translated into the word “air”.

Describe how it looks: (See photo). The structure is a lightweight ‘egg crate’ compartment that is made from graphite epoxy which is layered over a honeycomb core. It also has a deployable flat panel solar wing that has 20,000 silicon solar cells that provide it with power.

Explain what it does: This satellite is a multi-national satellite that can analyze the atmosphere and pinpoint its composition. It studies the earth’s ozone layer, air quality and climate and upper and lower atmosphere.

Tell where it is located: It was initially launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in an area northwest of Lompoc, California on July 15, 2004 and does not have one permanent location. However it orbits at 438 miles above the earth and will circle the globe 14 times a day.

Explain why you chose this satellite: I choose this satellite because I found in the most interesting because I can’t even fathom the idea of this technology. It amazes me that scientist and engineers can create a satellite that can monitor and analyze the air quality, climate, and ozone layer.

Write about what surprised you about how satellites and scientists collect data: The thing that surprised me the most was the actual size of the satellite. I imagined that the satellite would likely be the size of a microwave oven. The satellite turns out to be quite bigger than that. It weighs in at 3891 lbs. and is roughly 23ft long.