Meteor-M №2-4 (alternatively, Meteor-M number 2-4) is a Russian meteorological satellite which is part of the Meteor-M No.2 series of satellites that are designed to replace the old Meteor-3M series of satellites. The missions' primary tasks include environmental monitoring, surveillance of solar activity near the Earth, studying the interactions of the ocean and atmosphere, and exploring Earth's geology. The satellite also features a COSPAS-SARSAT search and rescue system. It was successfully launched on 29 February 2024 on a Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle from the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Instruments +NameDetailsIFKS-2Advanced IR sounderKMSSMulti-channel scanning unitMSU-MRLow-resolution multispectral scannerMTVZA-GRImager/sounder for atmospheric studySSPDData collection and transmission system.IKOR-MBroadband radiometer sensing outgoing shortwave signals.GGAK-M/RIMS-MMass spectrometer to study the ionosphere and upper atmosphere.GGAK-E/SKIF-6Spectrometer to detect corpuscular radiation and solar radiation.GGAK-E/GALS-ECosmic rays detector to study corpuscular radiation arriving at Earth.MeteoSARSynthetic aperture X-band radar to study the weather.
Relevance for amateur radio hobbyists
The satellite continuously transmits sensor data and images of the Earth. Some of these transmissions are unencrypted and can be received using inexpensive equipment. Amateur radio operators and other radio hobbyists regularly receive pictures of the Earth transmitted using Low-rate picture transmission at 137.9 MHz or High-resolution picture transmission at 1705 MHz.
Received data packets can be decoded using Free software, such as SatDump.
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