Global Environmental Monitoring System (GEMS)
The Global Environmental Monitoring System (GEMS) satellite constellation is a pioneering initiative undertaken by Orbital Micro Systems Inc., a fully owned subsidiary of Weather Stream. The primary aim of this cube satellite constellation is to transform the methodology and technology used in collecting and distributing weather data on a global scale. The GEMS cube sat was the first commercial, microwave radiometer in orbit.
The following sections delve into the various aspects and features of the GEMS constellation.
Advanced Technology
GEMS leverages the power of microwave radiometer technology to garner 3-dimensional temperature and moisture atmospheric profiles. A significant advantage of this technology is its capability to function effectively through cloud cover and in darkness, which marks a substantial advancement over other observational techniques. Additionally, it has been observed to significantly improve the accuracy of numerical weather predictions when compared to other remote sensing methods.
Expansion and Collaboration
Plans are underway to expand the constellation, thereby providing sub-hourly revisits of the entire planet. Furthermore, a collaborative effort with Thomas Keating Ltd., a UK-based THz technology firm, is in progress to advance the development of millimeter-wave instruments for deployment in the GEMS constellation of cube satellites.
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High-Frequency Data
One of the hallmark features of the GEMS constellation is its provision of high-frequency data at intervals of 15 minutes. This attribute facilitates enhanced monitoring of weather conditions globally, particularly benefiting under-observed regions such as South and Central Asia, Africa, and the Poles.
Spatial Resolution
The constellation offers unparalleled spatial resolution coupled with low revisit time data, rendering it one of the superior systems in terms of both temporal and spatial resolution available in the market. The data, refreshed and delivered every 15 minutes, is instrumental for various industries in making informed decisions.
Wide Range of Applications
The GEMS constellation is engineered to serve a diverse array of markets including insurance, transportation, energy, mining, agriculture, finance, and governmental sectors by meeting the demand for accurate and timely weather data across these markets.
Notable Milestones
The inception of this ambitious project was marked with the launch of the IOD-1 GEMS satellite, celebrated as a significant milestone in advancing small satellite missions for earth observation. The successful unveiling of the next-generation Global Environmental Monitoring System (GEMS2) satellites builds upon the initial success and pushes the boundaries further.
The GEMS constellation, through the concerted efforts of Weather Stream, aspires to provide a superior, high-fidelity dataset that is pivotal for various industries and governments in making timely and accurate decisions predicated on imminent weather changes.
Launch of GEMS 1
The launch of GEMS 1, also known as IOD-1 GEMS (In Orbit Demonstration-1 Global Environmental Monitoring Satellite), heralds a significant milestone for both Weather Stream and the broader communities of space and meteorological sciences.
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The following subsections provide a detailed chronicle of the launch:
Launch Preparation
The payload for IOD-1 GEMS comprised a 10 x 10 x 15 cm sized instrument enclosed in a 3U CubeSat satellite. The launch was orchestrated by NanoRacks and was destined to be deployed into low earth orbit via the NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer on the International Space Station (ISS), facilitated under the NanoRacks’ Space Act Agreement with NASA’s US National Lab. Innovate UK also contributed £1.5 million towards this venture.
Launch Event
On April 17, 2019, the IOD-1 GEMS was propelled into space from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia aboard an Antares-230 launch vehicle during the International Space Station resupply mission NG011. The mission chiefly focused on technology demonstration and weather observation.
Deployment and Initial Operation
Following the launch, the satellite was deployed into its designated orbit on July 3, 2019. The initiation of data reception occurred on July 20, 2019, subsequent to a two-week period of commissioning tests. Notably, IOD-1 GEMS played a pivotal role in capturing imagery of Super Typhoon Hagibis in October 2019, during a 10-hour observational gap between government satellites, thereby showcasing its capability in real-time weather monitoring.
Significance
Besides being the inaugural GEMS satellite launched, IOD-1 GEMS encapsulates numerous milestones for both the company and the space industry at large. It sets the foundation for future commercial passive microwave radiometry missions and establishes the groundwork for the forthcoming GEMS 2 constellation.
The successful launch and subsequent operation of IOD-1 GEMS signify a substantial stride towards actualizing the ambitious vision of the GEMS 2 constellation, aimed at revolutionizing global weather data collection and dissemination.