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posted by martyb on Sunday May 31 2020, @09:46PM   Printer-friendly
from the taking-a-look-askance dept.

Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story:

The last of six tiny satellites that were rocketed into space 14 years ago—and then went on to prove that the wealth of accurate atmospheric data that can be gleaned from existing GPS signals can improve operational weather forecasts—was officially decommissioned on May 1, outliving its original planned lifespan by a dozen years.

The first Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) mission, launched in 2006, used a technique known as radio occultation to derive vertical atmospheric profiles of temperature, humidity, and pressure by measuring the degree to which GPS signals bend as they travel through Earth's atmosphere. The resulting flood of high-quality, extremely accurate data was provided to weather centers to improve forecasts and to research institutions for use in scientific studies.

Throughout its lifetime, COSMIC-1 made an astounding 7 million vertical atmospheric profiles available to the operational forecast centers and research community. These data demonstrably boosted forecast accuracy and were referenced in more than 550 peer-reviewed scientific publications. In all, more than 5,000 users from over 100 countries have accessed COSMIC data.

A follow-on project COSMIC-2 (also known as FORMOSAT-7) is already operational.


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  • (Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 31 2020, @10:52PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 31 2020, @10:52PM (#1001529)

    In the COVID-19 economy the only businesses allowed to be open are grocery stores and pharmacies. Every other business is closed by Boomer decree as non-essential to Boomers. The grocery store employs armed guards to enforce social distancing to protect the Boomers. I tried to buy food at the grocery store but the grocery store gives preferential treatment to Boomers and there was no food left for me. The only place I am able to buy food is the pharmacy because Boomers use pharmacies strictly as dispensaries and leave the grocery section untouched. The pharmacy has a limited selection of food but I have managed to subsist on ramen and oatmeal which the Boomers do not buy.

    Try living in the world controlled by the whims of selfish pensioned Boomers who deliberately wrecked the entire world economy because their actions do not affect them personally. Try living in a world where Boomers will have you shot for stepping outside without a mask. Try living in a world where Boomers are implicitly exempt from their own mandatory mask orders because masks are just so uncomfortable on a Boomer chin. Try living in a world where you eat ramen and oatmeal while Boomers eat chicken and steak.

    Try living in a world of Boomers.

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