Sky Monitor
Instrument that measures cloud cover and atmospheric turbulence around the clock at a candidate or working laser ground station site.
Why it matters
Laser links between satellites and the ground fail under clouds and degrade in turbulent air. Measured site data helps operators pick locations and decide which station to use for each pass.
How the technology works
The Sky Monitor watches the sky day and night and turns its readings into atmospheric statistics. Data from more than 60 units in about 20 countries feeds Miratlas' DataHub platform and its LaserCom Pathfinder site analysis tool.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction