First Arktika-M satellite to be launched by Russia

Russia is to launch first Arktika-M satellite by December 2020 from Baikonur space. The satellite is to be used to monitor Arctic climate and environment.

Highlights

Russia is to launch series of Arktika satellites. The second Arktika satellite is still under development and is to be launched by 2023. The data to be collected by these satellites will help in gathering meteorological data from the polar regions of the earth. The data collected by these satellites will help in improving weather forecasts and will enable scientists to study climate change.

Significance

The Satellites help in studying climate changes in the polar region and also help in detecting resources in the polar region. The Arctic region resources have been at the centre of controversy and pose potential threats of conflicts between nations. Without the ice, the oceans will begin to absorb more radiation.

Why is Climate Change Study in Polar important?

The polar ice is depleting at faster rate. The Depleting ice releases methane and contribute to climate change as a whole. The ice in the polar region reflects incoming solar radiation. This will cause heating up of water leading to ocean acidification. Also, ocean will begin to absorb more heat increasing global warming.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2020