Posted: 31.05.2023 12:12:00

Russia deployed full constellation of hydrometeorological satellites in geostationary orbit

For the first time in the history of Russian cosmonautics, the Russian Federation has deployed a full constellation of hydrometeorological satellites in geostationary orbit – as reported by Roskosmos, TASS writes

Model of the geostationary hydrometeorological spacecraft Elektro-L. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

“The geostationary hydrometeorological spacecraft Electro-L No. 4, created by the enterprises of Roscosmos, after completion of tests in orbit, began to be used for its intended purpose. Thus, for the first time in the history of domestic cosmonautics, a constellation of the Electro meteorological space system consisting of three satellites has been fully deployed in geostationary orbit.”

Electro-L hydrometeorological satellites, while in geostationary orbit, make it possible to obtain and process multispectral images of cloudiness and the underlying Earth’s surface of the entire observed disk of the Earth, obtain hydrometeorological data in orbit, perform telecommunication functions in terms of distribution, exchange of hydrometeorological and heliogeophysical data, as well as relay signals from emergency beacons of the Cospas-Sarsat system.

The first Elektro-L satellite was launched in January 2011; in October 2016, communication with it was lost. Elektro-L No. 2 went into orbit in 2015, and No. 3 in 2019. They continue to work at the moment.