Why in the news?

• The National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) and New Space India Limited (NSIL) signed an MoU to set up two Direct Broadcast Network (DBNet) stations in Delhi/NCR and Chennai under the Mission Mausam project.

Mission Mausam

• Mission Mausam has a budget of Rs 2,000 crore for the first two years of its implementation.
• Aim: It aims to enhance India’s capabilities in weather forecasting, climate modeling, and disaster management.
• Objectives:
  • Improved Weather Forecasting: To enhance the accuracy and lead time of weather forecasts across India, particularly for extreme weather events like cyclones, floods, and heatwaves.
  • Climate Modeling: To develop advanced climate models to understand and predict long-term climate variability and change in India.
  • Disaster Management: To strengthen India’s capacity for disaster management by providing timely and accurate warnings and forecasts.
  • Research and Development: To promote research and development in meteorology and climate science.
  • International Cooperation: To foster international cooperation in meteorology and climate research.

Direct Broadcast Network (DBNet)

• It is a global operational framework designed for the real-time acquisition of satellite data from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.
• It plays a critical role in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) and supports a wide range of applications, including weather forecasting, cyclone monitoring, and climate research. 
• It ensures rapid data availability by directly receiving and processing satellite signals within minutes of transmission.
• It aims to improve the accuracy and timeliness of weather forecasts and related services.