Roscosmos to enlarge Arktika-M satellite cluster to 4 units

MOSCOW. Dec 16 (Interfax) - The constellation of Russia's Arktika-M Arctic monitoring satellites will consist of four vehicles instead of two planned earlier, the satellite manufacturer, NPO Lavochkin, said.

"The Roscosmos state corporation approved performance specifications in fall 2022 to modernize the Arktika-M system by enlarging the orbital cluster to four satellites," the manufacturer said.

The testing and control station of NPO Lavochkin has finalized electrical tests of the utility system module of the second satellite of the series, Arktika-M2.

"The group of four satellites will halve the periodicity of polar filming. It will also detail ultra-short-term weather forecasts and increase the efficiency of detection and monitoring of natural hazards and emergencies in the Arctic region," the company said.

Four satellites will be able to simultaneously survey the Earth from two angles - from the western and eastern orbits.

NPO Lavochkin said earlier that two Arktika-M satellites would provide 24/7 all-weather monitoring of the Earth and the Arctic Ocean.

The first Arktika-M satellite was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on February 28, 2021. The second one will be launched in 2023.

The Arktika hydro-meteorological and climate monitoring system operates in the Arctic region. It needs at least two satellites to be operational.