Why in news?
India has established two major DBNet stations in Delhi/NCR and Chennai as part of the Mission Mausam initiative, covering vital geographic areas and increasing the nation's real-time data acquisition capability.
 
Key Highlights of News

• This development follows the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) and New Space India Limited (NSIL) under the Mission Mausam initiative.

• The new DBNet stations will strengthen India's capacity to receive and process real-time direct broadcast data from both Indian and international Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites, including Oceansat, NOAA, and MetOp.
• By joining the global DBNet framework, India will contribute regional data to the international community through WMO networks, supporting improved global disaster preparedness and climate monitoring.

Core Functionality and Structure of DBNet

• DBNet operates via a worldwide network of local ground stations designed to receive direct broadcast signals from passing LEO satellites, process the raw data according to standardized protocols, and deliver the formatted observations to Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) centers and other users within minutes.
• DBNet greatly improves data timeliness and coverage by connecting regional networks and supporting inter-regional data exchange, helping ensure that vital atmospheric observations are available for assimilation into weather models before cutoff windows.
• The framework originated from the European EARS initiative and expanded globally under the guidance of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), integrating data sources from multiple satellites and locations.

Applications and Benefits of DBNet

• DBNet's primary application is supporting high-resolution NWP models, short-to-medium range weather forecasting, cyclone monitoring, and climate research.
• The system delivers satellite-derived atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles, among other parameters, crucial for accurate global and regional forecasts, particularly in data-sparse regions like oceans.
• By minimizing data latency and completing processing within minutes of satellite overpass, DBNet enhances disaster preparedness, early warning systems, and scientific research in meteorology and climatology.
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