The European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, better known as EUMETSAT, has officially taken full control of its newest and most technologically advanced satellite, Metop Second Generation A1 (Metop-SGA1). This act marks the beginning of a new era in Earth observation from space, promising a revolution in the accuracy of weather forecasts and climate change monitoring. The handover followed a flawlessly executed Launch and Early Operations Phase (LEOP), which culminated in the positioning of the satellite into its precise low Earth orbit.

The intense three-day operation, led from the EUMETSAT mission control centre, involved a series of complex manoeuvres and procedures. Teams of experts from EUMETSAT, the European Space Agency (ESA), Telespazio Italy, Airbus Defence and Space, and other key partners worked around the clock to ensure the satellite was safely placed at an altitude of just over 800 kilometres above the Earth's surface. This success is the result of years of dedicated work, planning, and outstanding collaboration between Europe's leading space institutions and industry.

A Revolution in Earth Observation: The EPS-SG Programme

The launch of Metop-SGA1 marks a crucial step in the implementation of the EUMETSAT Polar System – Second Generation (EPS-SG) programme. This is the most complex and innovative low-orbit meteorological satellite system ever built in Europe, which will succeed the extremely successful first generation of Metop satellites. The EPS-SG programme will ensure the continuity of key data for numerical weather prediction until the mid-2040s.

The system is designed with two types of satellites that will work in tandem to provide a comprehensive picture of the state of the atmosphere, oceans, and land. The A-series satellites, to which the newly launched Metop-SGA1 belongs, are equipped with advanced optical and infrared atmospheric sounding instruments. On the other hand, the B-series satellites, expected to be launched in the future, will carry microwave instruments for observing precipitation, ocean-surface winds, and soil moisture. Together, these two series will provide data of unprecedented quality and resolution, enabling significant improvements in forecasting extreme weather events and monitoring climate parameters. The programme is expected to yield a return on investment of at least 20:1 for the European Union's economy, through the reduction of damages from weather-related disasters and optimisation in sectors such as agriculture, energy, and transport.

Precise Positioning: The Launch and Early Operations Phase

Metop-SGA1's journey began last Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 02:37 Central European Summer Time. The satellite was launched into space from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on an Ariane-62 rocket. Approximately one hour later, the satellite successfully separated from the rocket, initiating the critical Launch and Early Operations Phase (LEOP).

During this phase, an automated sequence of commands initiated key steps, including the deployment of the solar panels that provided the satellite with power. Control teams carefully monitored the activation of the propulsion system, the stabilisation of the satellite's orientation, and the execution of a series of orbital manoeuvres. The goal was to place the satellite on a trajectory that would bring it into a "tandem flight" with its predecessor, the Metop-C satellite. This strategy will allow for the cross-calibration of instruments and ensure a seamless continuity of data, which is of vital importance for climate studies and operational meteorology.

Valeria Bozzi, Head of LEOP Services at EUMETSAT, highlighted team spirit as the key to success: "Although the LEOP lasted only three intense days, the successful placement of Metop-SGA1 in its correct in-orbit configuration is an achievement that reflects years of outstanding teamwork and dedication from engineers and managers at EUMETSAT, ESA, Airbus, and Telespazio."

The Technological Heart of the Satellite: Innovative Instruments on Metop-SGA1

Metop-SGA1 is not just a single satellite; it is a platform carrying a suite of state-of-the-art instruments designed to observe various aspects of the Earth system. Each of these instruments represents a technological leap forward in its field. Among them, the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer – New Generation (IASI-NG) stands out, which will measure atmospheric temperature and humidity with exceptional precision, and METimage, a multispectral imaging radiometer for imaging clouds, land, and ice surfaces.

A particularly important payload on the satellite is the Sentinel-5 mission, developed as part of the European Union's Copernicus programme. Sentinel-5 is dedicated to the global monitoring of atmospheric composition. Its spectrometer will map the concentrations of key trace gases such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, methane, and carbon monoxide on a daily basis. This data is essential for monitoring air quality, identifying pollution sources, and understanding the chemical processes in the atmosphere that affect climate and human health.

Multiple Benefits: Impact on the Economy and Citizen Safety

The data collected by Metop-SGA1 and the rest of the EPS-SG fleet will have a direct and far-reaching impact on lives and economies across Europe and the world. Improved weather forecasts are crucial for saving lives by enabling earlier and more reliable warnings of hazardous weather events such as storms, floods, heatwaves, and droughts. Forecast accuracy is of critical importance for safe air and sea transport, allowing for route optimisation and the avoidance of dangerous zones.

Farmers will be able to better plan sowing, irrigation, and harvesting, while the energy sector will be able to more efficiently manage electricity production from renewable sources, such as wind and solar. Continuous and long-term monitoring of key climate variables, such as ocean temperature, glacier melt, and greenhouse gas concentrations, will provide scientists and policymakers with invaluable information for making decisions on climate change adaptation and mitigating its consequences.

Calibration for the Future: The Commissioning Phase

Now that EUMETSAT has taken control of the satellite, the commissioning phase begins. Over the next few months, experts will conduct detailed testing and calibration of all instruments to ensure that the data they send is of the highest possible quality. This meticulous process will prepare Metop-SGA1 for full operational service, when it will become one of the most important sources of data for numerical weather prediction models. These models are the foundation of all modern weather forecasts. The improved data will directly translate into more reliable and accurate forecasts, strengthening society's resilience to increasingly pronounced climate extremes. Europe and the world are eagerly awaiting the first data that will soon begin to arrive from this technological jewel in orbit. For further information and updates on the mission's progress, EUMETSAT has established a special launch hub, which offers news, interviews, and detailed insights into the satellite's journey.