21OESS WxNet: A Next Generation Space-Based Environmental Monitoring Constellation

Military and humanitarian relief operations require global weather satellite data across a wider variety of observations at more frequent refresh rates and lower latency than currently provided or planned. For example, Theater Weather Imaging and Cloud Characterization are two observational gaps that require global multispectral imaging on a 1-hour refresh rate and low data latency. AI/ML weather models also need high spatial and vertical resolution moisture and temperature soundings to forecast global cloud properties, precipitation, and surface conditions. We present a weather satellite constellation design that will provide hourly refresh rates of multispectral imaging and infrared sounding, supporting global cloud analysis, 3D winds, and short-term forecasts. Implementation of the Pantheon architecture is presented with a proposed launch of new tranches of 12-24-satellites every two years, with near real-time environmental intelligence transmission across a space internet transport layer.