Cloud Imaging Benefits Earth-Space Communications

Researchers at Montana State University (Bozeman, Mont., U.S.A.) have discovered that a cloud-imaging system developed for climate research also shows promise for enhancing Earth-to-space optical communications (Opt. Express 17, 7862). “We originally developed the Infrared Cloud Imager (ICI) to address the enormous need for better cloud characterizations in climate science,” said Joseph Shaw, professor of electrical and computer engineering and director of the Optical Technology Center at MSU. “But when we heard from NASA scientists about their need to measure the complex distribution of clouds in space and time at potential optical communications stations, we saw another ideal use of the ICI.”