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

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
← MetOp

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).^[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 on 12th August 2025,^[6] while the first B-series satellite will be launched in 2026 using the Ariane 6 rocket.^[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 calibrate old and new instruments. A later tandem mission may also be possible between MetOp-SA1 and FORUM satellites in the future.^{[citation needed]}