The Russian Meteor-3 series of meteorological satellites provides twice-daily weather information including data on clouds, ice and snow cover, atmospheric radiation and humidity sounding. The
... Meteor-3 class of satellites orbit in a higher altitude than the Meteor-2 class of satellites thus providing more complete coverage of the earth's surface. The Meteor-3 has the same payload as the Meteor-2 but also includes an advanced scanning radiometer with better spectral and spatial resolution and a spectrometer for determining total ozone content. The spacecraft incorporates three-axis stabilization (0.5 deg accuracy) and twin 10-m span solar panels. The orbit is adjusted by ion thrusters. Meteorological data is transmitted to four primary sites in the former Soviet Union in conjunction with about 80 other smaller sites. Internationally compatible Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) is made available on 137 - 138 MHz channels to ground workstations. The Meteor-3 has two 0.5 - 0.7 micron radiometers. The first provides direct relay with a swath width of 2600 km and a resolution of 1 x 2 km. The second stores data on an on-board data recorder providing global coverage with a swath width of 3100 km and a resolution of 0.7 x 1.4 km. The payload also includes a scanning IR radiometer at 10.5 - 12.5 microns with a swath width of 3100 km and resolution of 3 x 3 km and an 8-channel IR radiometer for atmospheric sounding at 9.65 - 18.7 micorns with a swath width of 2000 km and a resolution of 32 x 32 km. The Meteor-3 also includes a 4 channel UV ozone monitor (0.25 - 1.03 micron) at 2 km altitude resolution and a particle radiation detector (0.15 - 90 MeV). 
