 MetOp-SG A1 Satellite Before Launch | |||
| Manufacturer | Airbus Defence and Space | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designer | European Space Agency | ||
| Country of origin |  European Union | ||
| Operator | EUMETSAT | ||
| Applications | Meteorology | ||
| Specifications | |||
| Spacecraft type | Satellite | ||
| Bus | Astrobus | ||
| Launch mass | ~4 tonnes | ||
| Regime | 831 km Sun-synchronous orbit | ||
| Design life | 7.5 years | ||
| Production | |||
| Status | First satellite launched in 2025 | ||
| On order | 6 | ||
| Built | 2 | ||
| Launched | 1 | ||
| |||
MetOp-SG (Meteorological Operational Satellite – Second Generation) is a series of six meteorological satellites developed by European Space Agency and EUMETSAT to be launched from 2025 to 2039.[1]
Development
[edit]In May 2014 during the ILA Berlin Air Show, in the presence of German chancellor Angela Merkel, ESA, EUMETSAT and Airbus Defence and Space signed the first documents for the development of the second generation of MetOp satellites. [2] On 16 October 2014 a contract was signed with Airbus Defence and Space for the construction of the satellites, worth €1.3 billion in total for six spacecraft (on average €266.7 million each).[3] In December 2014 additional contracts were signed for Ice Cloud Imagers to be used on the B-series satellites and three microwave sounder instruments.[4][5]
Satellites
[edit]MetOp-SG satellites are being built in two series: A, carrying visible, infrared, and microwave imagers and sounders; and B, carrying microwave imagers and radars. The first A-series satellite (MetOp-SG A1/Sentinel-5A) was launched on Ariane 6 on 12th August 2025,[6][7] and the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) of commissioning was successfully completed 3 days later.[8] The first B-series satellite (MetOp-SG B1) is set to launch in 2026, also using the Ariane 6 rocket.[1][9]
Operations
[edit]MetOp-SG satellites are a follow on from the three MetOp satellites and there are plans to perform a short tandem mission between the MetOp-SG-A1 and MetOp-C satellites to cross calibrate old and new instruments.[10] A tandem mission may also be possible between MetOp-SG-A1 and FORUM satellites in the future.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Metop series – Future Satellites". EUMETSAT. 21 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ "Taking weather forecasting into the future". ESA. 20 May 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ "Airbus Defence and Space Signs MetOp-SG Meteorological Satellites Prime Contract with ESA". SpaceRef. 16 October 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ "Airbus Defence and Space signs contract for Microwave Sounder instruments". Airbus Defence and Space. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ "Airbus Defence and Space selected for ICI instruments for the MetOp-SG satellites". Airbus Defence and Space. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ "Metop Second Generation A1". EUMETSAT. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ "First MetOp-SG and Sentinel-5 launched". www.esa.int. 2025-08-13. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ "EUMETSAT assumes control of inaugural Metop Second Generation satellite". EUMETSAT. 2025-08-18. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ^ "Next MetOp Second Generation weather satellite in the spotlight". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ Options for radiosonde launches with EUMETSAT Metop and Metop-SG overpasses
- ^ "Vega C to launch the ESA FORUM mission in 2027 | Avio". Avio.com. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
External links
[edit]
- MetOp-SG – Meteorological data across the entire globe video presentation
- Metop-SG instruments status and calibration
- WMO OSCAR | Details for Satellite Programme: EPS Second Generation, from the World Meteorological Organization
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Future missions in italics
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