Engineering:MetOp-SG

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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

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]

Launches

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 is set to launch in 2026, also using the Ariane 6 rocket.[1]

Operations

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.[9] A tandem mission may also be possible between MetOp-SG-A1 and FORUM satellites in the future.[10]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Metop series – Future Satellites". EUMETSAT. 21 November 2022. https://www.eumetsat.int/our-satellites/metop-series?sjid=future. 
  2. ↑ "Taking weather forecasting into the future". ESA. 20 May 2014. http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/The_Living_Planet_Programme/Meteorological_missions/Taking_weather_forecasting_into_the_future. 
  3. ↑ "Airbus Defence and Space Signs MetOp-SG Meteorological Satellites Prime Contract with ESA". SpaceRef. 16 October 2014. http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=44205. 
  4. ↑ "Airbus Defence and Space signs contract for Microwave Sounder instruments". Airbus Defence and Space. 9 December 2014. http://airbusdefenceandspace.com/newsroom/news-and-features/airbus-defence-and-space-signs-contract-for-microwave-sounder-instruments/. 
  5. ↑ "Airbus Defence and Space selected for ICI instruments for the MetOp-SG satellites". Airbus Defence and Space. 8 December 2014. http://airbusdefenceandspace.com/newsroom/news-and-features/airbus-defence-and-space-selected-for-ici-instruments-for-the-metop-sg-satellites/. 
  6. ↑ "Metop Second Generation A1". EUMETSAT. https://www.eumetsat.int/metop-second-generation-a1-and-copernicus-sentinel-5. 
  7. ↑ "First MetOp-SG and Sentinel-5 launched". 2025-08-13. https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Meteorological_missions/MetOp_Second_Generation/First_MetOp-SG_and_Sentinel-5_launched. 
  8. ↑ "EUMETSAT assumes control of inaugural Metop Second Generation satellite". EUMETSAT. 2025-08-18. https://www.eumetsat.int/eumetsat-assumes-control-inaugural-metop-second-generation-satellite. 
  9. ↑ Options for radiosonde launches with EUMETSAT Metop and Metop-SG overpasses
  10. ↑ "Vega C to launch the ESA FORUM mission in 2027 | Avio" (in en). http://www.avio.com/press-release/vega-c-launch-esa-forum-mission-2027. 



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