BackForward Satellite Programme: Meteor-3 

Programme details
Programme description
  • Series of 6 operational meteorological satellites in polar orbit.
  • Follow-on of the Meteor-2 series.  Main improvemens: more performing platform and more instruments.  The last two satellites hosting foreign instruments for ozone and Earth radiation budget, respectively.
  • National Russian programme: RosHydroMet responsible of the overall programme and of running the operational phase, Roscosmos responsible of the development of the space segment.
  • Satellites actively stabilised over 3 axes.
  • The design lifetime was 2 years.
  • Drifting orbits with high inclination.
  • Replacement policy based on frequent launches: average 1 launch / 1.5 years.
  • See detailed description at https://directory.eoportal.org/missions/m/meteor-3.

Note: in the satellite descriptive sheets, because of uncertain EOL dates, a mission duration of 2 years has been assumed.

Data circulation
  • Data stored onboard and downlinked to RosHydroMet acquisition stations.  Processed and disseminated by RosHydroMet.
Agencies RosHydroMetRoscosmos
Programme lifetime 1985 - 1996
Associated satellites and instruments

Note: red tag => no longer operational , green tag => operational , blue tag => planned