Strengthening the Arctic weather satellite group will enable Russia to provide the most effective round-the-clock monitoring of the North Sea Route, stated Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. This was reported by TASS.

Mishustin participated in a Roshydromet board meeting, during which he viewed an exposition on geophysical and space monitoring before it began. Among other things, he was shown the unique Arktika-M hydrometeorological satellites.

'Further strengthening of the Arktika-M class satellite group will allow us to provide the highest quality round-the-clock monitoring of the North Sea Route, something that has never been done before,' said the Prime Minister during his tour of the exposition.

Igor Shumakov, head of Roshydromet, who led the tour, referred to these satellites as a source of pride. 'When we initiated the launch, the first congratulatory message we received was from our American counterparts, saying "The Russians have embarked on a star trek",' he pointed out.

The Arktika-M hydrometeorological satellites have been developed on the unified Navigator platform, produced by the Lavochkin Research and Production Association. These devices are engineered for continuous, all-weather surveillance of the Earth's surface and the Arctic Ocean's seas, while also ensuring steady and dependable communication. Moreover, these satellites can relay signals from beacons of the international COSPAS-SARSAT search and rescue system.