New weather satellite completes its first month in orbit
Engineers say all six instruments are working and the first calibrated images will be shared with forecasters next week.
Quick read
- All six instruments passed their in-orbit checks
- Images refresh every 15 minutes over the subcontinent
- Data will be free for researchers from next month
Bengaluru: A weather satellite launched last month has finished its first 30 days in orbit, and engineers say all six of its instruments have passed their in-orbit checks.
The satellite takes a fresh image of the subcontinent every 15 minutes, which forecasters say will help them track fast-forming thunderstorms and heatwaves.
Calibrated images will be shared with the national weather service from next week. Researchers will be able to download the data free of charge from next month.
The spacecraft is designed to operate for at least seven years.