Orbital Micro Systems plans weather network

A miniaturised instrument to monitor the weather will be the first payload to fly on one of the UK Space Agency's new demonstration satellites.

US-based Orbital Micro Systems, external will launch their microwave radiometer aboard the 30cm-long spacecraft next year to retrieve temperature, humidity and precipitation measurements.

If successful, OMS plans a 40-strong constellation of similar satellites.

The company's CEO William Hosack spoke with our correspondent Jonathan Amos.