Multispectral scanning devices for hydrometeorological satellites

The Russian Space Systems Holding (RCS, part of the State Corporation Roscosmos), as part of the development of onboard systems of spacecraft for remote sensing of the Earth, has completed work on improving multi-zone scanning devices for promising hydrometeorological satellites of the series “ Electro-L “, “Arktika-M”, “ Meteor-M ” and “ Canopus “.

In 2020, flight tests of the Electro-L No. 3 spacecraft equipped with modified imaging equipment confirmed the high efficiency of the new radiation cooling system for infrared photodetectors. New solutions ensured stable cooling of photodetectors to temperatures of 80–82 K, which allows obtaining high-quality images. These developments are planned to be used in the manufacture of instruments for the following satellites of the Electro-L and Arktika-M series.

The chief designer of the direction, Yuri Gektin: “On the“ Electro-L ”No. 3 spacecraft, it was possible to achieve high radiometric characteristics of the 10th infrared channel, without which it is impossible to determine the Earth’s temperature in the“ transparency windows ”- spectral regions where radiation passes through the atmosphere with relatively small attenuation. This made it possible to correct the influence of the atmosphere and determine the temperatures of clouds, the earth’s surface and water areas with high accuracy. It is these indicators that underlie the construction of hydrometeorological forecasts. Electro-L No. 3 has significantly expanded the possibilities of using Earth remote sensing satellites in the interests of hydrometeorology.

In November 2020, the Electro-L satellite No. 3 was put into normal operation. Thus, a domestic system of hydrometeorological geostationary satellites was first put into orbit – the second Electro-L is located over the Atlantic, and the third over the Indian Ocean. This significantly expands the capabilities of the entire Russian hydrometeorology.

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