Gallery Description
The GPM Core Observatory launched on Feb. 27, 2014, to profile rain and snow to improve understanding of Earth’s water and energy cycle. In the edible version, the precipitation radar is made of mashed potato; the avionics and propulsion module is turkey walnut meat loaf decorated with kale; the microwave imager is yam, cucumber, and orange; the antenna is cherry tomato; and the solar arrays are seaweed
The Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 satellite launched on July 2, 2014, and measures atmospheric CO2 to characterize sources and sinks on regional scales. The edible model has pineapple for the body, lettuce for the solar array, carrot for the star tracker, a kale stalk for the vent pipe, dried mango for the instrument radiator, and kelp and radish for the insulating space blanket.
The RapidScat instrument launched on Sept. 20, 2014, and is installed on the International Space Station. It monitors ocean surface wind speed and direction for weather prediction. The edible model features corn bread for the station attachment; tri-tip steak for the electronics subsystem; celery for brackets; eggplant, pineapple, and apple for the spin assembly; and grapefruit, grapevine, and a grape for the antenna.
The Cloud-Aerosol Transport System launched on Jan. 10 and measures atmospheric aerosol and cloud properties from the International Space Station. In the edible version, the body is pumpkin pie filling, the lasers are walnuts, the telescope is made of apples and chocolate, and the mounting feet that held the satellite to the launch vehicle are also made of chocolate.
The Soil Moisture Active Passive satellite launched on Jan. 31 and will map soil moisture worldwide to provide insight into water, energy, and carbon cycles. The edible model incorporates white cheddar for the body, parsnip for the small antenna horn; yam, cherry tomato, and broccoli stalk for the spin assembly; celery for the large antenna boom; pita bread for the large antenna; and crackers for the solar array.
