 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 kmSun-synchronous orbit | ||
| Design life | 7.5 years | ||
| Production | |||
| Status | First satellite launched in 2025 | ||
| On order | 6 | ||
| Built | 2 | ||
| Launched | 1 | ||
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MetOp-SG (MeteorologicalOperational Satellite –SecondGeneration) is a series of sixmeteorological satellites developed byEuropean Space Agency andEUMETSAT to be launched from 2025 to 2039.[1]
In May 2014 during theILA Berlin Air Show, in the presence of German chancellorAngela Merkel, ESA, EUMETSAT andAirbus Defence and Space signed the first documents for the development of the second generation ofMetOp 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]
MetOp-SG satellites are being built in two series: A, carrying visible, infrared, and microwave imagers and sounders; and B, carryingmicrowave imagers and radars. The first A-series satellite (MetOp-SG A1/Sentinel-5A) was launched onAriane 6 on 12th August 2025,[6][7] and theLaunch 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]
MetOp-SG satellites are a follow on from the threeMetOp 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 andFORUM satellites in the future.[10]
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Future missions initalics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
