CALIPSO satellite. Computer artwork of NASA's CALIPSO (cloud-aerosol lidar and infrared pathfinder satellite observation) satellite orbiting the Earth. This satellite will use laser, infrared and visible light imagers to study the structure and composition of thin clouds and atmospheric aerosols (airborne particles). This information will help scientists better understand how clouds and aerosols influence weather, climate and air quality. CALIPSO will be launched on 25 April 2006, together with the CloudSat satellite, which will study the clouds and the global water cycle.