# 116. Eye of The Storm: NASA’s New Weather & Tropical Storm Tracking Sensors

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2023-04-04
- Length: 26m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-04-04-116-eye-of-the-storm-nasas-new-weather-tropical-storm-tracking-sensors
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/116-eye-of-the-storm-nasas-new-weather-tropical-storm-tracking-sensors-o89GIJcu

## Summary

Daniel and Forbode discuss NASA’s CalVR and Tempest satellites, developed by JPL engineers including Shannon Brown, which replace the legacy WindSat system. They highlight how leveraging flight spares from the Jason 3 and Tempest D missions allowed the team to deliver the project 27 months on time and under budget, significantly reducing mass and power consumption. The hosts emphasize how software algorithms replaced complex mechanical hardware, enabling the sensors to penetrate storm eyes and provide critical data for tracking tropical cyclones like Cyclone Mandus.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-04-04-116-eye-of-the-storm-nasas-new-weather-tropical-storm-tracking-sensors#t=0) Introduction: NASA's CalVR and Tempest Satellites
- [1:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-04-04-116-eye-of-the-storm-nasas-new-weather-tropical-storm-tracking-sensors#t=84) The Need for Oceanic Weather Monitoring
- [3:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-04-04-116-eye-of-the-storm-nasas-new-weather-tropical-storm-tracking-sensors#t=213) Kitchen Analogies: CalVR and Tempest Specs
- [5:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-04-04-116-eye-of-the-storm-nasas-new-weather-tropical-storm-tracking-sensors#t=319) The Legacy WindSat Project and Its Limitations
- [8:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-04-04-116-eye-of-the-storm-nasas-new-weather-tropical-storm-tracking-sensors#t=532) JPL Solution: Repurposing Jason 3 and Tempest D Hardware
- [12:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-04-04-116-eye-of-the-storm-nasas-new-weather-tropical-storm-tracking-sensors#t=725) Software Replacing Mechanical Hardware
- [14:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-04-04-116-eye-of-the-storm-nasas-new-weather-tropical-storm-tracking-sensors#t=862) ISS Deployment and Sun-Synchronous Orbit Benefits
- [17:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-04-04-116-eye-of-the-storm-nasas-new-weather-tropical-storm-tracking-sensors#t=1020) Real-World Success: Tracking Cyclone Mandus
- [22:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-04-04-116-eye-of-the-storm-nasas-new-weather-tropical-storm-tracking-sensors#t=1379) Future Constellations and Key Takeaways

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- NASA (company)
- CalVR (product)
- Tempest (product)
- WindSat (product)
- Jason 3 (product)
- Tempest D (product)
- SpaceX (company)
- International Space Station (other)
- Shannon Brown (other)

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## Citing this page

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