Launched just seven months ago, ESA’s Arctic Weather Satellite has been proving how the New Space approach can accelerate the development of missions capable of delivering detailed temperature and humidity profiles for short-term weather forecasts. Moreover, the impact of this small prototype satellite goes even further–remarkably, its measuring instrument has been recognised as able to provide data on par with traditional large missions.
The Arctic Weather Satellite also introduces significant innovation. Its microwave radiometer includes a groundbreaking 325 GHz sounding channel (shown in image), a frequency never before used for operational weather prediction. Assessments also confirm its potential for new cloud-ice measurements that would also bring benefits to weather forecast accuracy.
Image Credit: ESA
