Roscosmos has completed the commissioning of the Elektro-L No. 5 hydrometeorological satellite. The spacecraft successfully passed all checks and secured its geostationary position at 76 degrees East longitude. Now, the Russian orbital hydrometeorological group includes four operational satellites – Elektro-L No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5.

The new spacecraft took its place at the same point as Elektro-L No. 3. As explained by the state corporation, satellite No. 3 may later be moved to the 14.5 degrees West longitude point, where Elektro-L No. 2 is currently operating, having already exceeded its active lifespan.

Elektro-L No. 5 was developed by NPO Lavochkin, and the main target equipment was created by specialists from the Russian Space Systems holding. The satellite is equipped with a multi-spectral scanning device that performs imaging in ten spectral ranges – three visible and seven infrared. The resolution of the obtained images ranges from 1 to 4 km per pixel, and the temperature measurement accuracy reaches 0.1–0.2 °C.

The spacecraft is designed for round-the-clock monitoring of cloud cover, underlying surface, ocean conditions, and ice and snow cover. Data from it is transmitted to Roshydromet every 15–30 minutes. In addition, the satellite relays signals from emergency radio beacons of the international COSPAS-SARSAT system.