AsiaSat to launch advanced severe weather payload to monitor Asia-Pacific

Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company (AsiaSat) and GeoMetWatch Corp announced a partnership to host the first of six Sounding & Tracking Observatory for Regional Meteorology (STORMTM) instruments on board a new satellite to be launched in 2016.

“We are pleased to have reached this cooperation agreement with GeoMetWatch. We are excited to take part in this ground breaking project that will provide advanced data to improve weather forecasting, natural disaster monitoring and climate modeling,” said William Wade, President and Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat.

“GeoMetWatch’s partnership with AsiaSat is a significant step towards the implementation of our global geostationary hyperspectral sounder constellation. The first STORM™ sensor will provide unprecedented atmospheric and weather data over Asia and the Pacific region, for which we have already had significant interest to purchase the data when available,” said David Crain, Chief Executive Officer of GeoMetWatch.

Planned for launch in 2016 and to be positioned at 122 degrees East, this new satellite will host the first hyperspectral STORM™ sensor that will collect and return to arth sophisticated and critical weather data not currently available. 

The data will enable meteorologists to provide better daily forecasts, predict severe weather and atmospheric instability more accurately, and improve location and storm trackingand analysis of the intensity of hurricanes and typhoons, resulting in earlier evacuations that can improve the preservation of lives and property.

“STORM™ will provide significantly earlier warning for severe weather and climate instability, and it will do so faster, more frequently and with finer detailed measurements than any capability in orbit today,” Crain said.