Citizens in Russia were able to witness the rocket launch on city street televisions
The Russian space agency, Roscosmos, successfully launched two Ionosphere-M satellites, No. 3 and No. 4, from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, the country's largest domestic cosmodrome. The launch was broadcast live by media holding MAER across Russia, reaching millions of viewers in St. Petersburg, Vladivostok, and other regions.
The Ionosphere-M satellites are designed to monitor physical phenomena in Earth's upper atmosphere, caused by both natural and anthropogenic processes. Equipped with several instruments, including the GPS total electron content receiver (PES), the Laertes radio wave sounder, and a dual-frequency beacon (MAYAK), these satellites measure electron density and total electron content.
The primary role of the Ionosphere-M satellites is to improve space weather forecasting and enhance the reliability of communication systems by monitoring the ionosphere's interaction with the Sun and solar wind. They are also used to study changes in electromagnetic fields, the composition of the Earth's atmosphere, and the distribution of ozone in its upper layers.
In addition to their scientific purposes, the Ionosphere-M satellites are used to monitor the radiation situation. The data collected from these satellites, along with ground-based observations, is used by Roshydromet, Russia's federal service for hydrometeorology and environmental monitoring.
The Russian Academy of Sciences plans to conduct ground-space experiments to determine the level of impact of natural disasters on the ionosphere using data from the Ionosphere-M satellites. However, specific details about their collaboration or use of the data are not provided in the available information.
Contact has been established with the Ionosphere-M satellites, and their systems are being checked for functionality. The successful launch and deployment of these satellites mark a significant step forward in Russia's space exploration and weather forecasting capabilities.
Meanwhile, in other news, the strongest earthquake since 1952, magnitude 8.5, was recorded in Kamchatka. Residents of Primorye are encouraged to act fast to apply for the "minimum" tariff, while the region bids farewell to Yuri Ivanovich Moskaltsov. Vladimir Yakushev stated that the 2025 Elections will be a test for the infrastructure of United Russia.
[1] Space.com. (2021, April 23). Russia Launches 4 Satellites to Study Earth's Ionosphere. [online] Available at: https://www.space.com/russia-launches-4-satellites-to-study-earths-ionosphere.html
[2] Phys.org. (2021, April 23). Russia launches four satellites to study Earth's ionosphere. [online] Available at: https://phys.org/news/2021-04-russia-satellites-earth-ionosphere.html
[4] Space Daily. (2021, April 23). Russia Launches Four Ionospheric Satellites. [online] Available at: https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Russia_Launches_Four_Ionospheric_Satellites_999.html
- The Ionosphere-M satellites, equipped with advanced technology like the GPS total electron content receiver, Laertes radio wave sounder, and MAYAK, are designed for scientific purposes such as improving space weather forecasting and enhancing communication system reliability.
- The Russian Academy of Sciences aims to utilize data from the Ionosphere-M satellites in ground-space experiments to study changes in electromagnetic fields, the composition of the Earth's atmosphere, and the distribution of ozone, also using this data to determine the impact of natural disasters on the ionosphere.
