Manufacturer | Airbus Defence and Space | ||
---|---|---|---|
Designer | European Space Agency | ||
Operator | EUMETSAT | ||
Applications | Meteorology | ||
Specifications | |||
Spacecraft type | Satellite | ||
Bus | Astrobus | ||
Launch mass | ~4 tonnes | ||
Regime | 831 km Sun-synchronous orbit | ||
Design life | 7.5 years | ||
Production | |||
Status | Under Construction | ||
On order | 6 | ||
Built | 2 | ||
Launched | 0 | ||
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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]
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]
MetOp-SG satellites are a follow on from the three MetOp satellites and there are plans to perform a short tandem mission between the Metop-SG-A1 and Metop-C satellites to cross calibration old and new instruments. A later tandem mission may also be possible between Metop-SG-A1 and FORUM satellites in the future.