| |
Met Office in space
|
|
|
|
Because the Earth's land surface, ice sheets, life, oceans and atmosphere
are all dynamic and highly interactive, you'll see that space offers
a unique vantage point for observation of our global environment.
We routinely use satellite data from all over the world as input
to our weather prediction models. In our forecast offices, up-to-date
satellite imagery provides vital information on the formation and
dissipation of active weather systems, improving the scope and accuracy
of the products that we can offer to our customers.
Our research in space-related fields can produce immense benefits,
yielding new knowledge and tools for improved weather forecasting
and environmental services.
|
| |
|
From a network of satellites in space it is possible to get
24-hour global coverage of the dynamic Earth system. With an impressive array
of instrumentation available, the amount of information that can be gained
from space is vast.
Weather forecasts are required when you are launching spacecraft,
because wind, rain and lightning can affect the launch vehicle and can
hamper emergency recovery operations on the ground.
More about making space work
for us
We've been running numerical models to predict air motion in
the upper stratosphere for research purposes for many years. Our stratospheric
model measures winds and temperatures from the ground to the upper atmosphere
at approximately 1.3 km intervals.
More on the stratosphere
More
on aviation research and development
| How is our space work organised? |
Our Space Programme team helps the Met Office ensure that meteorology
is properly served by national and international space programmes, especially
ESA, EUMETSAT and BNSC. We have a diverse range of experts working in research
and development, operations and finance who help to shape these programmes
to meet our needs and keep them affordable.
More on the Met Office Space
Programme
| History of meteorology from space |
Even before the days of the early space race, scientists knew that observations
from above the atmosphere would be important in weather forecasting and environmental
monitoring - but no one could imagine how fast we would advance and how much
could be learned!
More on history of observing from space
|
Home 
