At 3:02 a.m. Pacific time on April 28. 2006. two NASA satellites. CloudSat and Calipso.
were launched atop a Boeing Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base. in California.
Their Missions: to reveal the inner secrets of clouds and aerosols.
The two satellites circle approximately 438 miles above Earth in a sun-synchronous polar orbit. flying in
formation as members of NASA's "A-Train" constellation. which also includes three other satellites: Aqua. Aura and Parasol.
Their technologies help scientists study how clouds and aerosols form. evolve and interact.
offering insights into the workings of Earth's climate. while improving weather forecasting and predicting climate change.