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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