Forecast for the years to come: the launch of a new satellite has consolidated Russia's position in a strategically important area of space

The Russian meteorological satellite Electro-L No. 5, successfully launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome, will join the Electro group. The device placed into geostationary orbit should improve the quality of meteorological data transmitted to Earth. Its tasks also include the prompt replacement of one of the group's satellites in the event of its failure. In addition, the launch of the new spacecraft allows Russia to maintain its position in a strategically important area of space, where the number of convenient orbital slots is limited, experts say.

How the spacecraft will improve the weather forecast

On February 12, the Electro—L spacecraft No. 5 was launched into geostationary orbit to an altitude of about 36,000 km above the Earth. The launch was carried out from the 82nd site of the Baikonur cosmodrome using a Proton—M launch vehicle. The launch took place at 11:52 Moscow time. After separation of the third stage, the flight of the device continued using the DM-03 upper stage.

The satellite launch was successful on the second attempt. It was originally planned to be held on December 15, 2025, but then the launch was canceled due to a technical malfunction in the control system of the upper stage, identified during pre-flight training.

As Roscosmos explained to Izvestia, the main mission of Electro-L No. 5 is to replenish the Electro orbital group. It is designed for round-the-clock monitoring of the Earth's atmosphere, clouds, oceans and various geophysical processes.

The satellites of this grouping are located at fixed points above the equator and provide Roshydromet and other interested organizations with operational hydrometeorological information. The devices monitor cyclones and weather risks in real time, as well as transmit weather data necessary for aviation and navigation. Electro-L No. 5 became the fourth in the group.

— The grouping's devices are equipped with scanning devices that allow you to get an overview of the entire visible disk of the Earth. The images are formed in three channels of the visible and seven channels of the infrared ranges of electromagnetic waves. The resolution of the images obtained ranges from 1-4 km per pixel. Filming is carried out every 30 minutes in automatic mode and every 10-15 minutes according to commands from the Ground," the state corporation said.

In addition, the satellites' tasks also include relaying data from the COSPAS-SARSAT system, Roscosmos explained. Thanks to them, the time for receiving signals about ships and aircraft in an accident is reduced to a few minutes. Separately, experts noted the capabilities of the data transmission system from meteorological platforms located in remote corners of the globe. To date, there are more than 700 such facilities. They work both autonomously and with the participation of staff.

At the same time, the grouping allows tracking cyclones and weather risks, and also plays an important role in detecting the sources of natural emergencies, such as large forest fires or volcanic eruptions, the state corporation said.

What is the difference between new generation weather satellites?

"All three devices are located on the equator and monitor the European part of Russia, Siberia and the Far East around the clock," Daniil Gruzdev, Deputy chief designer of the Electro project, explained to Izvestia.

According to him, the devices of the Electro series are designed to operate in orbit for 10 years. One of the main reasons for their failure is increased ionizing radiation in geostationary orbit, which gradually destroys on—board electronics. Currently, the warranty period of Electro-L No. 2 has ended. The device will remain in orbit, however, after the commissioning of Electro-L No. 5, specialists will decide how the grouping will continue to function.

Structurally, Electro-L No. 5, Daniil Gruzdev noted, is almost identical to satellite No. 4. Among the innovations, the replacement of the onboard gyroscopic angular velocity vector meter (GIVUS) with a more compact and modern product can be noted.

Preparatory work is currently underway to modernize and manufacture Electro-L No. 6 and No. 7 to replenish the grouping, the developer said. A preliminary design of the next-generation Electro-M devices is also being carried out. In the future, they will completely replace the Electro-L, significantly expanding their functionality.

Why strengthen the Russian geostationary grouping

—Despite the fact that three satellites are enough to fully cover the Earth from geostationary orbit, the fourth device will improve the quality of data due to an additional viewpoint," said Pavel Gaiduk, cosmonautics historian, deputy head of the scientific and exposition department of the Museum of Cosmonautics.

In addition, the launch of a new spacecraft into geostationary orbit serves the purpose of reserving the system. According to him, in the event of a malfunction of other satellites, the maneuverability capabilities and fuel reserve of Electro-L No. 5 will allow him to change the point of "standing" and replace a failed colleague. This has happened before. For example, in 2020, Electro-L No. 2 took the position of the failed device No. 1, with which communication was lost four years earlier.

According to the expert, the new satellite, immediately after launching into the target orbit, will move to the "standing" point at 14.5 degrees west longitude, where Electro-L No. 2 is currently located.

In addition, the timely launch of the new spacecraft will secure Russia's orbital position in geostationary orbit. This is especially important because the number of convenient areas for satellite deployment in this area of space is limited, especially over strategically important territories on Earth, the historian noted.

— It is worth noting that the data obtained by this group of spacecraft is publicly available on the portal of the Scientific Center for Operational Monitoring of the Earth. This organization performs the functions of the operator of the Electro-L system. This means that scientific and educational institutions, as well as search and rescue centers and other interested structures can use the information," added Ilya Ovchinnikov, a popularizer of cosmonautics.

In addition, meteorological satellites in conjunction with other space systems contribute to solving safety problems. According to him, they make it possible to quickly detect fires, floods, volcanic eruptions, as well as changes caused by earthquakes. At the same time, forecasts based on satellite data help to prevent or mitigate the consequences of catastrophic events.

It is also important that the satellites of the Arctic-M series have become a logical addition to the Electro-L group. They move in the Molniya orbit, a trajectory on which the devices are above the Northern Hemisphere most of the time, the expert noted. This orbit is designed to provide communications and remote sensing at high latitudes in the northern part of the planet, especially in Russia.

Due to the similarity of the onboard equipment systems, the Electro-L and Arctic-M data are easily integrated into a single system. This makes it possible to obtain a unified picture of the hydrometeorological situation over the entire territory of our country and in adjacent areas.