# Real-Time Contrail Monitoring and Mitigation Using CubeSat Constellations
## 4 Distributed Systems with CubeSats  
### System Design and Technical Specifications  
The concept of a distributed system using CubeSats for contrail monitoring leverages the strengths of these small satellites to provide comprehensive, real-time coverage of the Earth's atmosphere. Such a system would involve the deployment of multiple CubeSats in low Earth orbit (LEO), each equipped with sensors designed to monitor specific atmospheric parameters related to contrail formation. The design of this system would address several key technical challenges, including satellite configuration, sensor payloads, data processing capabilities, and communication protocols. Each CubeSat would need to be designed with a specific set of sensors tailored to its mission objectives. For example, some CubeSats might be equipped primarily with infrared sensors to monitor temperature profiles, while others might carry hyperspectral imagers to detect ice crystals and water vapor. This specialization allows each CubeSat to contribute specific types of data to the overall monitoring network, enhancing the resolution and accuracy of the system as a whole. In terms of configuration, the CubeSats would be deployed in a constellation, with each satellite occupying a specific position in an orbit to ensure complete coverage of the target airspace. The constellation design would need to consider factors such as orbital altitude, inclination, and spacing between satellites. A low-Earth-orbit (LEO) configuration, typically at altitudes between 500 and 2000 km, would be ideal for this mission, as it would allow the CubeSats to maintain close proximity to the atmosphere, providing high-resolution data while minimizing signal latency. The sensor payloads on each CubeSat would need to be carefully selected and calibrated to provide accurate, high-quality data. Infrared sensors, for example, must be sensitive enough to detect subtle variations in temperature that could indicate the potential for contrail formation [47; 48; 49]. Infrared imagers on nanosatellite constellations are gaining prominence for their ability to monitor thermal phenomena and environmental changes with high precision. Companies like OroraTech [50] and Yunyao Yuhang are leading this effort, with OroraTech's FOREST constellation deploying infrared sensors for wildfire detection and thermal monitoring, while Yunyao Yuhang's Yunyao-1 satellites are scaling toward 80 planned spacecraft [51]. Similarly, missions like SatVu [52] further demonstrate the viability of nanosatellites in the infrared domain, with SatVu focusing on high-resolution thermal imagery, contributing to regional monitoring needs. Leveraging such advanced infrared capabilities, these constellations provide persistent and cost-effective monitoring solutions for critical applications, such as environmental hazard detection, energy efficiency analysis, and atmospheric studies, further solidifying nanosatellites as a valuable tool for addressing global challenges. Similarly, hyperspectral imagers must be capable of distinguishing between different types of particles in the atmosphere, such as ice crystals, water droplets, and aerosols, which are critical for identifying contrails and assessing their impact [51; 53]. Hyperspectral payloads on nanosatellite constellations are transforming Earth observation by providing high-resolution spectral data for environmental and atmospheric monitoring. Nanosatellite constellation missions such as Planet and Carbon Mapper's Tanager-1 [54], Kuva Space's Hyperfield-1 [49], Pixcel [55], and Zhuhai Orbita's constellation [56] systems demonstrate the growing capability of small satellites equipped with multi-band hyperspectral imagers to detect trace gases, pollutants, and other atmospheric phenomena. Adapting this technology for contrail mitigation offers significant potential, as it enables the precise detection and characterization of contrails, including their composition, persistence, and optical properties.