AAC Omnisys, part of the AAC Clyde Space group, have delivered a cutting-edge weather sensor payload to OHB Sweden which has been successfully integrated into their InnoSat platform. ESA's Arctic Weather Satellite (AWS) demonstration mission aims to simultaneously improve weather forecasts in the Arctic region and globally, while enhancing understanding of climate change. The European Space Agency's Arctic Weather mission will provide frequent coverage of Earth for improved nowcasting and numerical weather prediction.

The program aims to build on existing Arctic monitoring satellites, such as MetOp and MetOp SG, and provide precise, short-term weather forecasts for the Arctic region. AAC Omnisys has developed and built an innovative scientific payload in Gothenburg specifically for this mission, a passive microwave radiometer, which will provide temperature and humidity measurements of the atmospheric layers, this data will be used for Numerical Weather Prediction and Nowcasting. AAC Clyde Space is also supplying a high-performance STARBUCK power system from its range of microsatellite products, and a Sirius Command and Data Handling System, both designed and built at its Uppsala, Sweden, site.

This 120kg AWS satellite, planned to launch 2024, is the forerunner of a potential constellation of satellites that would supply an almost constant stream of temperature and humidity data from every location on Earth. Meteorologists will also use the mission to improve weather forecasts around the world.