The CYGNSS flight segment; mainstream science on a micro-budget

NASA´s first Earth Venture mission, the NASA EVM-1 Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS), is designed to provide data that will enable the study of the relationship between ocean surface properties, moist atmospheric thermodynamics and convective dynamics. These relationships are postulated to be intrinsic to the genesis and intensification of tropic storms. Key information about the ocean surface under and around a tropical storm is hidden from existing space borne observatories because the intense precipitation degrades the frequency bands in which they operate, obscuring the ocean´s surface. GNSS-based bi-static scatterometry performed by a constellation of micro-satellites offers remote sensing of ocean waves and wind with unprecedented temporal resolution and spatial coverage across the full dynamic range of ocean wind speeds in all precipitating conditions. A better understanding of these relationships and their effects will advance our ability to forecast tropical storm intensity and storm surge. Achieving the required temporal and spatial resolution for tropical cyclone remote sensing has not been possible previously due to technology and cost limitations. Modeling techniques developed over the past 20 years combined with recent developments in nano-satellite technology and an increased risk tolerance by NASA have enabled the CYGNSS mission. CYGNSS consists of 8 GPS bi-static radar receivers deployed on 8 separate micro-satellites to be launched in October 2016. The mission is cost capped at $102M exclusive of launch vehicle. It is being developed as a Category 3 mission (per NPR 7120.5D NID) with Class D payloads (per NPR 8705.4). This paper will present an overview of the CYGNSS flight segment implementation and how our Class D approach allows the development to meet cost constraints.