Meteor 3-6/PRARE
Jump to: Mission Objectives, Mission Instrumentation, Mission Parameters, Additional Information
Mission Photos:
Courtesy of "SPUTNIK" Server
Mission Objectives:
The Meteor 3-6/PRARE satellite is the sixth in the Russian Meteor-3 series of meteorological satellites launched in 1994. These satellites provide weather information including data on clouds, ice and snow cover, atmospheric radiation and humidity. The Meteor-3 class of satellites orbit in a higher altitude than the Meteor-2 class of satellites thus providing more complete coverage of the earth's surface. The Meteor-3 has the same payload as the Meteor-2 but also includes an advanced scanning radiometer with better spectral and spatial resolution and a spectrometer for determining total ozone content. Meteorological data is transmitted to four primary sites in the former Soviet Union in conjunction with about 80 other smaller sites.
Mission Instrumentation:
Meteor-3-6 has the following instrumentation onboard:
- Scanning TV-sensor
- Visible light and infrared radiometers
- Scanning infrared radiometer
- Ozone Mapper
- Precise Range and Range-Rate Equipment (PRARE)
- Retroreflector array
Mission Parameters:
| Sponsor: | Russia |
| Expected Life: | several years, no longer supported |
| Primary Applications: | weather monitoring |
| Primary SLR Applications: | precision orbit determination |
| COSPAR ID: | 9400301 |
| SIC Code: | 0307 |
| Satellite Catalog (NORAD) Number: | 22969 |
| Launch Date: | January 24, 1994 |
| RRA Diameter: | 28 cm |
| RRA Shape: | Box-wing; annulus |
| Reflectors: | 24 corner cubes |
| Orbit: | circular |
| Inclination: | 82.6 |
| Eccentricity: | 0.0001 |
| Perigee: | 1180 km |
| Period: | 109 minutes |
| Weight: | unknown |
