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India Wins Contract To Launch Private Weather Satellites

Posted by samzenpus on from the to-the-stars dept.

schwit1 writes: The first two satellites in the first private weather satellite constellation will be launched on India's PSLV rocket. This project is a win-win for aerospace. Not only will this weather constellation help shift ownership of weather satellites from government to private ownership, the company's decision to use India's PSLV rocket increases the competition in the launch industry. From the article: "With 12 satellites on orbit, PlanetiQ will collect approximately 34,000 'occultations' per day, evenly distributed around the globe with high-density sampling over both land and water. Each occultation is a vertical profile of atmospheric data with very high vertical resolution, comprised of measurements less than every 200 meters from the Earth's surface up into the ionosphere. The data is similar to that collected by weather balloons, but more accurate, more frequent and on a global scale. 'The world today lacks sufficient data to feed into weather models, especially the detailed vertical data that is critical to storm prediction. That's why we see inaccurate or ambiguous forecasts for storms like Hurricane Joaquin, which can put numerous lives at risk and cost businesses millions of dollars due to inadequate preparation or risk management measures,' McCormick said. 'Capturing the detailed vertical structure of the atmosphere from pole to pole, especially over the currently under-sampled oceans, is the missing link to improving forecasts of high-impact weather.'"

3 of 34 comments (clear)

  1. Um, suck that cock more, please? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    " help shift ownership of weather satellites from government to private ownership"

    How is that a good thing that needs "help"?

    1. Re:Um, suck that cock more, please? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Exactly; just what we need private ownership of planetary weather data. Data held hostage by DRM and other stupid schemes. Want some basic data like "is it raining now" - maybe that is free. Want some more sophisticated data? Pay out the wazzoo for it. Who are these dilholes that think private ownership of data and satellites is a good thing? Can we ensure that they are "confused" about where to vote next election?

  2. Surge Pricing by fhage · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Will we have to pay 100 times standard rates for the data in the few days before the hurricane hits?