Improved "traditional" hydrometeorological instrument from RKS will make Earth's surface imagery better

The device operates in six channels, capturing the visible and thermal spectrum, which helps track weather phenomena, natural and man-made processes

The Russian Space Systems (RKS) holding has completed the modernization of the multispectral scanning unit (MSU-MR) for Meteor-M satellites. The improved device is installed on the Meteor-M No. 2-5 satellite, which is scheduled to launch in 2027–2028. The device will improve the quality of Earth imagery for meteorology and environmental monitoring.

The updated MSU-MR allows for clearer images of the planet's surface due to improved characteristics and automated focusing. The device operates in six channels, capturing the visible and thermal spectrum, which helps track weather phenomena, natural and man-made processes. The new circular view mode simplifies equipment status monitoring. The modernization was based on the experience of operating Meteor-M satellites No. 2-2, No. 2-3, and No. 2-4.

The Meteor-M No. 2-5 satellite will be the sixth spacecraft in the Meteor-3M complex. It will collect data for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, disaster monitoring, and atmospheric research. Information from the device is sent to ground stations, where it is processed and transmitted to meteorologists, scientists, and other specialists.

Primary radiometric and geometric processing of images is carried out directly in the MSU-MR using its own computing resources and algorithms, laid down by our specialists on Earth. On board the spacecraft, the digital stream received from the MSU-MR is combined with the target information of the atmospheric temperature and humidity sounding module, the helio-geophysical instrumentation complex, and sent to ground receiving stations, where the information is processed and then transmitted to consumers — representatives of various sectors of the economy. The new MSU-MR is a significantly improved "traditional" hydrometeorological instrument that has successfully proven itself for solving a wide range of tasks.
Александр ЗАЙЦЕВ, руководитель сектора системного проектирования и информационного сопровождения многозональных сканирующих устройств РКС

The satellites are developed by the Corporation "VNIIEM", and the system operator is the Scientific Center for Operational Monitoring of the Earth.

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