A laser guide star crossing the night sky above the Paranal observatory
ESO · CC BY 4.0
Markets and Applications

Atmospheric intelligence for reliable optical operations

Atmospheric conditions can interrupt optical links, reduce photovoltaic forecast accuracy, and limit the range of directed-energy systems.

Turbulence, aerosols, dust, and cloud cover affect optical communications, EO/IR sensors, directed-energy systems, and counter-UAS operations.

Miratlas continuously measures, models, and predicts these conditions using high-resolution data from the operating site.

Contact Miratlas Sky Monitor measurement overview
01 Telecommunications and Optical Communications
Applications

Direct-to-Earth free-space optical communications, optical ground stations, network routing, and satellite communications

A free-space optical link is only as reliable as the atmospheric information used to operate it. Miratlas supports:

  • Selecting suitable sites for optical ground stations
  • Routing traffic dynamically in response to current conditions
  • Using site diversity to improve link availability

Operational benefitMore resilient links, higher availability, and fewer weather-related outages

For telecom and satellite operators Explore Pathfinder
The dome of an optical ground station at the Haleakalā observatory Enlarge
NASA · LCRD Optical Ground Station 2
02 Energy
Applications

Photovoltaic production forecasting and grid integration

Accurate solar forecasting requires local information on cloud cover and atmospheric conditions. Miratlas data can refine photovoltaic production estimates, helping operators integrate generation and reduce forecast error.

For energy providers and grid operators Contact Miratlas
A photovoltaic array under a partly cloudy sky Enlarge
Dennis Schroeder · NREL
03 Research, Climate and Institutions
Applications

Atmospheric modelling, climate research, astronomy, and aviation

Sky Monitor is a passive optical sensing system that provides continuous, high-resolution atmospheric measurements for:

  • Detecting contrails for climate-impact studies and air-traffic optimization
  • Building long-term datasets for climate and environmental models
  • Supporting weather prediction, pollution monitoring, and atmospheric physics
  • Characterizing sites for ground-based telescopes and optical space situational awareness

Research accessThe Lamarck program provides access for academic research and public-interest projects.

For researchers and public institutions Explore the Lamarck program
A telescope dome under a starry sky Enlarge
ESO / F. Ocaña, J. Isabel, Quasar SR · CC BY 4.0
04 Defense and Security
Applications

Counter-UAS, directed-energy systems, EO/IR sensors, and missile defense

Atmospheric conditions affect detection range, beam propagation, and pointing accuracy. Miratlas data can be integrated with ISR and air-defense systems to:

  • Improve drone-detection confidence and reduce false alarms
  • Support directed-energy pointing and anticipate propagation losses
  • Improve EO/IR performance planning using turbulence and cloud forecasts
For defense organizations Contact Miratlas
A weather radar radome standing in front of a storm cloud Enlarge
NOAA Photo Library · Eric Kurth
05 MeasurementsSky Monitor

Sky Monitor measurement overview

ClassExample parametersAccuracyUpdate rateAvailability
Clouds Allsky visible & thermal infrared imagery, night-time transparency ≤1 % / 2 % 60 to 300 s Continuous
Turbulence Seeing, Fried parameter r0, isoplanatic angle, Cn² profile (24 altitudes, 1 to 1 000 m) 7 to 38 % depending on parameter 60 s Clear sky, day or night
Aerosols Downwelling radiation (pyrgeometry), sky temperature, precipitable water column, sky background brightness ±3.5 W/m² to 20 % depending on parameter 2 to 60 s Continuous to occasional depending on parameter
Weather Temperature, pressure, humidity, wind, rainfall ±0.3 to ±4 % depending on parameter 2 to 60 s Continuous

Sky Monitor combines a main unit, C-DIMM, and weather station. Optional equipment includes LWIR, an altitude-azimuth tracking mount, and SHABAR for daytime turbulence. Operating range: -30°C to +50°C, up to 93% relative humidity, and wind speeds up to 80 km/h.

Download the full technical datasheet

Choose the right application

Miratlas solutions can be delivered through an API, a dashboard, or an on-premises deployment for sovereign applications.

Contact Miratlas View solutions and services