Everything is ready for the launch of the new generation of European meteorological satellites, a crucial step that will improve the precision of weather forecasts and provide deeper insight into climate change. The European satellite MetOp Second Generation, known as MetOp-SG-A1, will be launched on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. This technologically advanced satellite, which carries the key Copernicus Sentinel-5 instrument in its suite, will lift off on an Ariane 6 rocket at exactly 02:37 Central European Time (which corresponds to 21:37 local time in Kourou on August 12). The entire event can be followed live via ESA Web TV One, with the broadcast starting at 02:10 with introductory features and interviews with experts who will provide detailed insight into the status and importance of the mission.

A new era of meteorological observations

The launch of the MetOp-SG-A1 satellite marks the beginning of a new era in Earth observation from polar orbits. The first generation of MetOp satellites has already dramatically improved the accuracy of weather forecasts in Europe for periods of 12 hours to 10 days, becoming the most significant single factor in modern meteorology. Now, the MetOp-Second Generation (MetOp-SG) mission takes the lead with the goal of not only ensuring the continuity of key data but also significantly improving its scope and quality. This new series of satellites promises to deliver global observations for weather forecasting and climate analysis with greater precision and resolution than ever before. The program is designed to last for more than twenty years, ensuring long-term stability in the collection of data necessary for understanding our planet.

The entire MetOp-SG mission is based on a system of three successive pairs of satellites. Each pair consists of a type A satellite and a type B satellite, which carry different but complementary instrument packages. MetOp-SG-A1 is the first in the series, and its launch will be followed by the launch of its partner satellite, MetOp-SG-B1, next year. Together, these two satellites carry a total of ten different instruments, some of which are improved versions of proven technologies from the first generation of MetOp satellites, while others are completely new and innovative. The A-series satellites, like MetOp-SG-A1, are focused on optical imaging and atmospheric sounding in the infrared and microwave spectrums, while the B-series satellites are focused on microwave and sub-millimeter imaging, which is crucial for observing the oceans and ice.

Cutting-edge technology in the service of science

The MetOp-SG-A1 satellite is equipped with six advanced instruments. Among them is the next-generation Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI-NG), which will provide temperature and humidity measurements with exceptional accuracy. There is also the Microwave Sounder (MWS), the METimage multispectral imaging radiometer, and the innovative Multi-Viewing, Multi-Channel, Multi-Polarisation Imager (3MI), which will enable detailed analysis of aerosols. In addition, the satellite carries a Radio Occultation sounder, which is also on the type B satellites, and most importantly, the European Commission's Copernicus Sentinel-5 spectrometer. This suite of instruments will work synergistically to provide the most complete picture to date of the Earth's atmosphere, clouds, temperature, and air quality. The mission is the result of a long-standing and successful collaboration between ESA (the European Space Agency) and Eumetsat. In this partnership, ESA is responsible for the design and construction of the satellites, while Eumetsat procures the launch service, develops the ground segment, operates the satellites, and distributes the data to the wide community of meteorological users worldwide.

Copernicus Sentinel-5: Guardian of the atmosphere

A particularly important part of the payload on the MetOp-SG-A1 satellite is the Copernicus Sentinel-5 instrument. Building on the success of its predecessor, the Copernicus Sentinel-5 Precursor satellite, this new and advanced imaging spectrometer revolutionizes the way we monitor the composition of the atmosphere. Sentinel-5 will measure the distribution of key trace gases, such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, formaldehyde, glyoxal, carbon monoxide, and methane. It will also monitor aerosols, tiny particles in the atmosphere that not only affect the quality of the air we breathe but also have a significant impact on the climate. This data will allow us to better understand the processes behind air pollution, ozone layer depletion, climate change, and UV radiation exposure.

The Copernicus Sentinel-5 mission represents a huge step forward in monitoring and forecasting global air quality. The instrument will deliver daily global data on atmospheric gases and aerosols. Its observations include key air pollutants, essential climate variables, and stratospheric ozone, which protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation. The data collected by Sentinel-5 will be the basis for improving services that inform the public about associated risks, including the creation of air quality forecasts and the issuance of health warnings. This is of crucial importance, given that outdoor air pollution contributes to more than four million premature deaths annually worldwide, while excessive exposure to UV radiation can cause skin cancer. The synergy between Sentinel-5 and the other instruments on MetOp-SG-A1 will provide scientists and meteorologists with a powerful tool for protecting human health and preserving the planet.