Artist's Concept of the A-Train (IMAGE)

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

Artist's Concept of the A-Train

Caption

This artist's concept shows the various satellites that fly in formation in the "A-Train." This graphic (not to scale) depicts the satellites that make up the Afternoon Constellation -- "The A-Train." Listed under each satellite’s name is its equator crossing time. Note that though Aura crosses the equator eight minutes behind Aqua, in terms of local time, because it is along a different orbit track, it actually lags Aqua by fifteen minutes. Note also that CALIPSO trails CloudSat by only 15 seconds to allow for synergy between Aqua, CloudSat and CALIPSO.

Credit

NASA/SSAI, Alex McClung

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