MetOp-SG

Meteorological Operational Satellite - Second Generation
Manufacturer Airbus Defence and Space
Designer European Space Agency
Operator EUMETSAT
Applications Meteorology
Specifications
Spacecraft type Satellite
Bus Astrobus
Design life 7.5 year
Launch mass ~4 tonnes
Regime 831km Sun-synchronous orbit
Production
Status Under Construction
Built 0
On order 6
Launched 0
← MetOp

MetOp-SG (Meteorological Operational Satellite - Second Generation) is a series of six meteorological satellites developed by European Space Agency and EUMETSAT to be deployed from year 2021.[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).[1] In December 2014 additional contracts were signed for Ice Cloud Imagers to be used on B-series satellites and three MicroWave Sounder instruments.[3][4]

MetOp-SG satellites will come in two series: A carrying optical instruments and B with microwave sensors. First A-series satellite will be launched in 2021, while first B-series satellite will be launched in 2022.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 "Airbus Defence and Space Signs MetOp-SG Meteorological Satellites Prime Contract with ESA". SpaceRef. 16 October 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Taking weather forecasting into the future". ESA. 20 May 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "Airbus Defence and Space signs contract for Microwave Sounder instruments". Airbus Defence and Space. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  4. ↑ "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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