# Arctic Weather Satellite

> European weather satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q105836035](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105836035)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_Weather_Satellite)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/arctic-weather-satellite

## Summary
The Arctic Weather Satellite is a European weather satellite designed to provide continuous monitoring of the Arctic region. Launched on August 16, 2024, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, it carries a microwave radiometer to measure temperature and humidity profiles in the Arctic atmosphere.

## Key Facts
- Launched on August 16, 2024, at 18:56:00 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East
- Weighs 125 kilograms with dimensions of 1.0m × 0.9m × 0.7m (length × height × width)
- Equipped with a microwave radiometer and two solar arrays providing 220W of power
- Has a design life of 5 years in Sun-synchronous orbit
- Operated by EUMETSAT for data processing, Kongsberg Satellite Services for spacecraft operation, and managed by the European Space Research and Technology Centre
- Built by OHB Sweden with the microwave radiometer supplied by AAC Omnisys
- Carries the COSPAR ID 2024-149CZ and is also known as AWS
- Part of the InnoSat spacecraft bus program

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of the Arctic Weather Satellite?
A: The Arctic Weather Satellite is designed to provide continuous monitoring of the Arctic region, measuring temperature and humidity profiles in the atmosphere using its microwave radiometer. This data helps improve weather forecasting and climate monitoring in the Arctic.

### Q: Who operates the Arctic Weather Satellite?
A: The satellite is operated by multiple organizations: EUMETSAT handles data processing, Kongsberg Satellite Services manages spacecraft operations, and the European Space Research and Technology Centre oversees project management.

### Q: What launch vehicle was used for the Arctic Weather Satellite?
A: The Arctic Weather Satellite was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, specifically using booster B1075.12 from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East.

## Why It Matters
The Arctic Weather Satellite represents a significant advancement in meteorological monitoring capabilities for one of Earth's most climate-sensitive regions. By providing continuous, high-quality atmospheric data from the Arctic, it addresses a critical gap in global weather observation networks. The Arctic region is warming at approximately four times the global average rate, making accurate monitoring essential for understanding climate change impacts and improving weather forecasts that affect millions of people. The satellite's microwave radiometer can penetrate cloud cover and provide data regardless of daylight conditions, ensuring year-round coverage of this remote and challenging environment. This capability is particularly valuable for aviation safety, maritime navigation, and disaster preparedness in Arctic regions. As part of Europe's commitment to Earth observation and climate monitoring, the Arctic Weather Satellite demonstrates how targeted missions can deliver specialized data that complements broader meteorological satellite networks.

## Notable For
- First dedicated European weather satellite specifically designed for continuous Arctic monitoring
- Utilizes the InnoSat spacecraft bus, demonstrating cost-effective small satellite technology for meteorological applications
- Carries a microwave radiometer capable of measuring atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles through clouds and darkness
- Represents a collaborative effort between ESA and EUMETSAT, combining space agency expertise with operational meteorological services
- Demonstrates the viability of commercial launch services (SpaceX Falcon 9) for European weather satellite missions

## Body
### Technical Specifications
The Arctic Weather Satellite has a mass of 125 kilograms and compact dimensions of 1.0m × 0.9m × 0.7m, making it a small satellite optimized for its specific mission. The spacecraft is powered by two solar arrays that generate 220W of electrical power, supplemented by a 36Ah lithium-ion battery for eclipse operations. The satellite's design life is five years, during which it will operate in a Sun-synchronous orbit to ensure consistent lighting conditions for its observations.

### Scientific Payload
The primary instrument aboard the Arctic Weather Satellite is a microwave radiometer developed by AAC Omnisys. This instrument measures thermal microwave radiation emitted by atmospheric gases, allowing it to derive temperature and humidity profiles throughout the Arctic atmosphere. The microwave frequencies used can penetrate cloud cover, enabling the satellite to collect data regardless of weather conditions or time of day. This capability is crucial for the Arctic, where extended periods of darkness and persistent cloud cover can limit observations from optical instruments.

### Mission Operations
The satellite's operations are distributed among several European organizations to leverage their respective expertise. EUMETSAT, the European operational satellite agency for monitoring weather, climate, and the environment, is responsible for data processing and distribution to meteorological services. Kongsberg Satellite Services handles the day-to-day spacecraft operations from their ground stations. The European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, Netherlands, provides project management oversight. This distributed operational model ensures that the satellite's data is quickly processed and made available to weather forecasters and climate scientists.

### Launch and Deployment
The Arctic Weather Satellite was launched on August 16, 2024, as part of a rideshare mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East in California. The specific booster used was B1075.12, marking its twelfth flight. The satellite was deployed into its target Sun-synchronous orbit, where it began its mission to provide continuous Arctic monitoring. The choice of a commercial launch provider demonstrates the growing role of private space companies in supporting European scientific and operational missions.

### Significance for Climate Monitoring
The Arctic region plays a crucial role in global climate systems, and changes there have far-reaching impacts on weather patterns worldwide. The Arctic Weather Satellite's ability to provide continuous, high-quality atmospheric data from this region addresses a significant gap in global meteorological observation networks. Traditional weather satellites often have limited coverage of polar regions due to their orbital characteristics, making specialized missions like this essential. The data collected will contribute to improved weather forecasting models, particularly for medium-range forecasts that depend on accurate initial conditions. Additionally, the long-term dataset generated by the satellite will support climate research by documenting changes in Arctic atmospheric conditions over time.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Meteorological_missions/Arctic_Weather_Satellite/Contract_signed_to_build_Arctic_weather_satellite)
2. [Source](https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/EarthObservation/Arctic_weather_satellite_factsheet2_240410.pdf)
3. [Source](https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Meteorological_missions/Arctic_Weather_Satellite/Contract_signed_to_build_Arctic_weather_satellite)
4. [Source](https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Meteorological_missions/Arctic_Weather_Satellite/Facts_and_figures)
5. Jonathan's Space Report
6. [Source](https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Meteorological_missions/Arctic_Weather_Satellite/The_satellite)
7. [Source](https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Meteorological_missions/Arctic_Weather_Satellite/The_instrument)
8. [2024](https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/08/transporter-11/)