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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.'"

6 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 eth1 · · Score: 2

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

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

      Yeah... for all the things the US govt. sucks at, I don't think most people realize just how much they use and depend on the ubiquitous, free data generated by NOAA and NWS.

      But, since accurate weather data is essential to any kind of military operation, don't expect the government to stop any time soon, whatever the private sector does.

  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?

    1. Re:Surge Pricing by zenlessyank · · Score: 2

      Pretty sure we have a back door installed. That's how we roll, dawg.

  3. Re:Convienent by Maclir · · Score: 2

    Putting the tools in private hands makes them neither more nor less likely to be used in this way.

    And what planet is it that you are living on?

  4. Re:Convienent by drinkypoo · · Score: 2

    Actually, the private industry can, and will, be bought.

    Actually, the government can, and will, be bought. 20 goto 10.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"