| RaInCube | |
| Names List: | RainCube |
| Mission Type: | Technology demonstration |
| Operator: | NASA/JPL |
| Cospar Id: | 1998-067NW[1] |
| Satcat: | 43548 |
| Website: | Website |
| Spacecraft Type: | 6U CubeSat |
| Manufacturer: | NASA/JPL |
| Launch Mass: | 12kg |
| Launch Date: | , 08:44:06 UTC[2] |
| Launch Rocket: | Antares 230 |
| Launch Site: | Wallops Pad 0A |
| Launch Contractor: | Orbital ATK |
| Deployment From: | International Space Station |
| Deployment Date: | [3] |
| Disposal Type: | Reentry |
| Decay Date: | Dec. 24, 2020 |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric |
| Orbit Regime: | Low Earth |
| Orbit Inclination: | 51.64° |
| Apsis: | gee |
| Instruments: | Ka band radar |
| Trans Band: | Ka band |
RaInCube, also stylized as RainCube, was a 6U CubeSat made by NASA as an experimental satellite. It had a small radar and an antenna. It was put into orbit in May 2018 and was deployed from the International Space Station on June 25, 2018. It re-entered Earth's atmosphere and burned up on Dec. 24, 2020.[4] [5] It was used to track large storms.[6]
RainCube's mission objectives were to:[7]
See main article: article and Cygnus OA-9E. RaInCube was launched as part of the Cygnus OA-9E Commercial Resupply Services mission on board an Antares 230 rocket on May 21, 2018, at Wallops Pad 0A. The Cygnus spacecraft docked with the International Space Station on May 24, 2018, three days later. RaInCube was finally deployed from the International Space Station on July 13, 2018.[3] [2] [8]