NASA Logo, National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Engineer a Satellite Is the ozone hole getting smaller? How much rain is in the cloud of a hurricane? How do forest fires and volcanoes impact air quality around the globe? Compelling questions like these are driving NASA scientists and engineers to answer them for the benefit of people everywhere. Engineers and scientists are essential partners in this process.

Engineers design instruments to measure energy across the electromagnetic spectrum. This energy travels in waves and these waves behave in predictable ways. They can be reflected, absorbed, scattered, and transmitted. Instruments measure how these waves behave when they interact with matter such as the Earth's surface or particles in the atmosphere. Scientists use this information to answer questions about the physical and chemical composition of our planet.

Some instruments are passive in that they sense energy emitted from the Earth's surface or solar energy reflected off the surface of the Earth. Mappers, or imaging instruments, measure light reflecting off the surface of the Earth to create images somewhat like an image from a digital camera. Sounders measure the vertical structure of the atmosphere either by observing the edge of the atmosphere (limb) or measuring the absorption of radiation vertically. These passive instruments use spectrometers to break apart and measure multiple bands of the spectrum like a prism, or use radiometers with filters to measure a specific band of energy.

Other instruments actively send infrared light or microwave pulses toward the Earth surface. Scientists can determine the heights of features on the Earth's surface such as mountains, sea level, and ice sheets by measuring the amount of time it takes for the signal to return. Scientists can also learn about the composition of the atmosphere by measuring how that signal interacts with the atmosphere as it returns to the instrument. Lidar and Radar are examples of active instruments.

Just as you can use data from a thermometer, barometer, and a hygrometer to get a clearer picture of the weather outside, scientists use a variety of instruments to get the bigger picture of our Earth system. Since one satellite can only carry a few of these instruments each, multiple satellites are used to collect data over the entire globe every day.

In 2004, NASA launched the Aura satellite to study the chemistry of the Earth's atmosphere. The instruments onboard Aura are helping scientists study air quality, the changing size of the ozone hole, and links between ozone chemistry and climate.

Aura is just one in a constellation of polar-orbiting satellites and together they collect data about the atmosphere, oceans, land, ice, and snow, and their influence on climate and weather. Data from these instruments are helping improve weather forecasts, manage agriculture and forests, inform fishermen and local planners, and expand our understanding how the Earth's climate is changing.

To learn more about the electromagnetic spectrum and satellite instruments, visit:
EM Spectrum | Wave Behaviors | The A-Train constellation of satellites

engineer a satellite

Engineer your own scale model of an Earth Observing satellite

Activity Instructions:

In this activity, you will select the scientific instruments for your satellite, calculate the power requirements for all the instruments and subsystems, and then construct a scale model of your very own Earth observing satellite.


Before starting this activity, you will need to assemble a variety of materials that could be found at a local craft store and education supply store.

  • 2 drink stirs (about 3mm in diameter)
  • 3 sequins
  • 2 buttons: 1 large ~2cm and 1 smaller
  • 7 beads: 2 Red, 1 Green, 1 Blue, 1 Black, 1 UV sensitive, and one Triangle-bead
  • 10 cm square of blue paper (foil or glitter craft paper)
  • 27 interlocking gram centimeter cubes - (15 of one color for the instruments, 8 of one color for the batteries, 5 for the subsystems) - these are available at an education supply store .
  • 3cm x 10cm piece of cardboard, chipboard, or foam core
  • 1 index card
  • Hot glue or Glue Dots
  • Scissors, ruler (cm), and tape


  1. Download the Engineer a Satellite handout [link to pdf]
  2. Read through the instrument cards and pick the type of data you would like your satellite to measure. Select up to 3 instruments for your satellite.
  3. Download the Worksheet [link to Worksheet / Cubes]
  4. Using the handout, record the power requirements for all the subsystems and instruments on your worksheet. Then calculate the total power required, size of solar array, and number of batteries.
  5. Collect your materials and build construct your scale model.

Assembly Instructions:

Construct the instruments by attaching beads, buttons, sequins, and drink stirs to the cubes using Glue Dots (see photo below). The communications and data handling subsystems each require an antenna (short drink stir with sequin).

Use the information on the worksheet to calculate to required solar array size and number of batteries. The cardboard will serve as the satellite bus - the platform to which all the subsystems are attached. Construct the satellite by connecting all the cubes and attaching to the cardboard with glue dots. Finally, tape the solar panels to drink stirs and connect to any cube.

engineer a satellite

Are you Ready for Launch?

Weigh your satellite. If your satellite weighs between 18 and 25 grams, congratulations! Your satellite is ready to launch!

Go Further!

Name your satellite and describe how data from your instruments will help benefit society

Resources available in PDF format below. In depth information about this project and full instructions included.

Engineer a Satellite Instructions [600kb]
Worksheet / Cubes & beads [260kb]

Education and Outreach

Special Event

Satellite Model Aura EPO takes the
A-Train to Washington!

Aura exhibited the new "Engineer a Satellite" activity in Washington, DC for the 2012 Earth Day event on the National Mall and the US Science and Engineering Festival.