Russia's Arktika-M2 satellite transmits first Arctic images to Earth - Roscosmos

MOSCOW. Jan 16 (Interfax) - Russia's Arktika-M2 satellite, launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in December 2023, has transmitted its first images of the Arctic region, and all satellite systems are operating normally, Roscosmos said on Tuesday.

"Yesterday, the Arktika-M2 satellite received and transmitted the first images of the Arctic region and adjacent territories to Earth during a trial run," Roscosmos said.

Roscosmos data shows that the satellite is in a Molniya-class highly elliptical orbit with an inclination of 63.3 degrees.

"All support systems are operating normally," Roscosmos said.

The first Arktika-M satellite was launched from Baikonur on February 28, 2021, and the second launch followed on December 16, 2023.

Arktika-M satellites are designed for climate and environmental monitoring of the Arctic. The minimal working configuration of the network is two satellites.

Roscosmos said on December 16, 2022, that it would increase the Arktika-M group from two satellites that were originally planned to four. It also said that the development of the Arktika-MP hydro-meteorological satellite would begin in 2026.