The Mobile Transmit/Receive Complex (MTRC) successfully finished its fourth year of operation (spring/autumn 2023) on the territory of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), having provided 225 communications sessions for acquisition ERS data from Russian orbiting constellations of all types.

The Main Directorate of the Ministry for Civil Defence, Emergency Situations and the Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM) of Russia awarded several RIPI specialists Honorary Diploma for productive cooperation, high level of expertise in satellite monitoring, communications, broadcasting, etc.; conscientious attitude to their functional duties; initiative and due diligence, demonstrated in accomplishing their analytical and operational functions during the flood hazard periods and the season of forest fires.

During the period from June 15 to October 13, 2024, the MTRC successfully finished its fourth  2023 season on the territory of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), by joining in common work RIPI specialists and duty officers from the Ministry of  Emergencies of Russia, who conducted 225 sessions for acquisition and processing science data  from the Russian spacecraft of all types. All processed satellite images are publicly available and being used by the ministries and departments concerned, including the Government of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) to undertake necessary prompt and adequate responses.

Yevgeny Kolesnikov, Head of Sector from Integrated Geographically Distributed ERS Information System Operation Department, said in his interview:

- RIPI specialists from the Integrated Geographically Distributed ERS Information System Operation Department, sent to Yakutsk city on a rotational basis, were conducting technical maintenance services for the operating MTRC. The Complex allowed constant monitoring of most vulnerable to ice jams areas, such as Batamai Island in the Lena region, the mouth of the Aldan, Vilyui and Amga rivers, thereby having facilitated analysis and modelling the possible scenarios of dangerous and extreme meteorological events in 2023 and developing  the risk prevention plans, the warning plans and  corresponding rescue plans. ERS data, captured from the Russian orbiting constellations, using the MTRC facilities, were being promptly posted on the GIS OBZOR geo-portal; were promptly brought to the Russian System of Prevention and Response to Emergencies' regional offices, were used for timely detection and tracking natural hazards in order to take preventive measures to prevent, eliminate or mitigate consequences of emergencies. Besides, satellite surveys of the mouth of the Yana, Kolyma and Lena rivers were being carried out using the MTRC to assess the degree of riverbanks erosion and the waterway carrying capacity for ships, transporting food and various raw materials for hard-to-reach regions of the Arctic zone of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).

The experience of operating the MTRC for monitoring dangerous flood and forest fire events in 2023 by officers from the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergencies of Russia in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) has been assessed as positive. The images acquired from the Canopus-V spacecraft have sufficient spatial resolution to evaluate continuously changing situations across a vast region of Yakutia. The near-real time survey mode ensures promptness and provides adequate follow-up measures to prevent or localize the emergency consequences.

RIPI Press Service