Metop Second Generation A1 and Copernicus Sentinel-5 – launch
13 augustus 2025 @ 02:37 - 03:00
Launched on 12 August 2025, the Meteorological Operational Satellite – Second Generation (MetOp-SG) A1 satellite will be a major boost for satellite monitoring of weather, climate and atmospheric composition in Europe, and beyond.
MetOp-SG is a series of six meteorological satellites developed by European Space Agency and EUMETSAT to be launched from 2025 to 2039. 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. 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). In December 2014 additional contracts were signed for Ice Cloud Imagers to be used on B-series satellites and three microwave sounder instruments. 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 was launched on 12th August 2025 at 21:37 (local time) from Kourou, French Guiana, while the first B-series satellite will be launched in 2026 using the Ariane 6 rocket.
Launched on 12 August 2025, the Meteorological Operational Satellite – Second Generation (MetOp-SG) A1 satellite will be a major boost for satellite monitoring of weather, climate and atmospheric composition in Europe, and beyond.
MetOp-SG is a series of six meteorological satellites developed by European Space Agency and EUMETSAT to be launched from 2025 to 2039. 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. 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). In December 2014 additional contracts were signed for Ice Cloud Imagers to be used on B-series satellites and three microwave sounder instruments. 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 was launched on 12th August 2025 at 21:37 (local time) from Kourou, French Guiana, while the first B-series satellite will be launched in 2026 using the Ariane 6 rocket.
Links:
Metop Second Generation A1 and Copernicus Sentinel-5
Betere verwachtingen weer en luchtkwaliteit met nieuwe satelliet Metop-SG
Copernicus soars into new heights with the launch of Sentinel-5A
Gegevens