ESA’s Arctic Weather Satellite aims to improve weather forecasts in the Arctic – a region that currently lacks data for accurate short-term forecasts. It is equipped with a 19-channel cross-track scanning microwave radiometer which will provide high-resolution humidity and temperature soundings of the atmosphere in all weather conditions.

The Arctic Weather Satellite is the forerunner of a potential constellation of six satellites, called EPS-Sterna, that ESA would build for Eumetsat if this first prototype Arctic Weather Satellite works well. While the Arctic is the focus, meteorologists will also use the constellation to improve weather forecasts globally.

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