Meteorological Operational Satellite - Second Generation
ManufacturerAirbus Defence and Space
DesignerEuropean Space Agency
OperatorEUMETSAT
ApplicationsMeteorology
Specifications
Spacecraft typeSatellite
BusAstrobus
Launch mass~4 tonnes
Regime831 km Sun-synchronous orbit
Design life7.5 years
Production
StatusUnder Construction
On order6
Built0
Launched0
← MetOp

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 ILA Berlin Air Show, in a presence of chancellor Angela Merkel, ESA, EUMETSAT and Airbus Defence and Space signed the first documents for the development of second generation of the MetOp satellites. [2] On 16 October 2014 contract was signed with Airbus Defence and Space for a 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 B-series satellites and three microwave sounder instruments.[4][5]

MetOp-SG satellites will be 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 will be launched in early 2025, while the first B-series satellite will be launched in late 2025.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Metop series – Future Satellites". EUMETSAT. 21 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  2. ↑ "Taking weather forecasting into the future". ESA. 20 May 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "Airbus Defence and Space Signs MetOp-SG Meteorological Satellites Prime Contract with ESA". SpaceRef. 16 October 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  4. ↑ "Airbus Defence and Space signs contract for Microwave Sounder instruments". Airbus Defence and Space. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  5. ↑ "Airbus Defence and Space selected for ICI instruments for the MetOp-SG satellites". Airbus Defence and Space. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
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