Over the weekend, Russia activated the world’s first Arctic observation satellite system. The new constellation allows for continuous meteorological and environmental monitoring of the Arctic surface, including the Northern Sea Route. This is the first time that a hydro-meteorological space system has been established for permanent observation of the Arctic regions and surrounding territories.
Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, plans to expand the Arktika mission with a total of 10 Earth-orbiting satellites. These satellites will include communication, GPS, commercial, and remote sensing satellites. They will be placed in a Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO) to ensure full-time coverage of the high latitudes not currently provided by existing international geostationary satellites.
The development of the Arktika system aligns with Russia’s goals to intensify its exploitation of the Arctic’s oil and gas resources. Additionally, the system will offer crucial telecommunications services in the Arctic, necessary for air traffic and commercial shipping in the remote area. Russia’s significant investments in the Northern Sea Route near the Siberian coastline aim to establish it as an alternative shipping route, reducing travel distances between the Far East and the West in comparison to the Suez Canal route. With
