First MetOp-SG A-series Meteorological Satellite Launched

Our Bureau - : Aug 13, 2025 - : 4:04 pm

The first of Europe’s second-generation polar-orbiting meteorological satellites, MetOp-SG A1, has been launched from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, aboard an Ariane 6 rocket. Built by Airbus for the European Space Agency (ESA) under contract to EUMETSAT, the European...

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The first of Europe’s second-generation polar-orbiting meteorological satellites, MetOp-SG A1, has been launched from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, aboard an Ariane 6 rocket.

Built by Airbus for the European Space Agency (ESA) under contract to EUMETSAT, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, the spacecraft has established communications and entered its commissioning phase. The satellite is intended to improve the accuracy of weather forecasting and provide long-term climate data.

“The successful launch of MetOp-SG A1 is a landmark moment for Europe and for global weather forecasting,” said Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus. “Having designed and built the first generation of MetOp satellites, we now see the first of this powerful new series in orbit. These satellites will be the sentinels of our planet, helping to deliver more accurate weather predictions that benefit citizens across the globe.”

MetOp-SG A1 is the first of six satellites planned for the programme, which will operate into the mid-2040s. The series consists of two variants — three “A” satellites carrying atmospheric sounding and imaging instruments, and three “B” satellites carrying microwave imaging and radar payloads.

The MetOp-SG A1 payload includes the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer - Next Generation (IASI-NG), the METimage visible and infrared imager, a Microwave Sounder, a Radio Occultation Sounder, and the Multi-viewing, Multi-channel, Multi-polarisation Imager. The satellite also carries the Copernicus Sentinel-5 instrument for monitoring trace gases and pollutants in the atmosphere.

The programme is a collaborative effort involving EUMETSAT, ESA, the European Union’s Copernicus programme, CNES, DLR, the UK Space Agency, and an industrial consortium led by Airbus. The A-series satellites are assembled in Toulouse, France, and the B-series in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Each satellite has a planned operational life of 7.5 years, providing overall coverage for about 21 years.

Ariane 6, developed under ESA leadership, is produced by ArianeGroup with support from European industry. Arianespace is responsible for launch operations from the Guiana Space Centre, including the integration and deployment of MetOp-SG A1 into orbit.

Metop-sg-a-satellites / Airbus /

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