MetOp-SG

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]

Meteorological Operational Satellite – Second Generation

MetOp-SG A1 Satellite Before Launch
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	First satellite launched in 2025
On order	6
Built	2
Launched	1
← MetOp

Development

In May 2014 during the ILA Berlin Air Show, in the presence of German chancellor Angela Merkel, ESA, EUMETSAT and Airbus Defence and Space signed the first documents for the development of the second generation of MetOp 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]

Launches

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 (MetOp-SG-A1) was launched on Ariane 6 on 12th August 2025,^[6][7] and the launch and early operations (LEOP) phase 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]

Operations

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 calibrate old and new instruments. A tandem mission may also be possible between MetOp-SA1 and FORUM satellites in the future.^{[citation needed]}