| Meteorological Operational Satellite - Second Generation | |
| Manufacturer: | Airbus Defence and Space |
| Designer: | European Space Agency |
| Operator: | EUMETSAT |
| Applications: | Meteorology |
| Spacecraft Type: | Satellite |
| Spacecraft Bus: | Astrobus |
| Design Life: | 7.5 years |
| Launch Mass: | ~4 tonnes |
| Orbits: | 831 km Sun-synchronous orbit |
| Status: | Under Construction |
| Built: | 2 |
| Orders: | 6 |
| Launched: | 0 |
| Previous: | MetOp |
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]
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 in total for six spacecraft (on average 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 in early 2025, while the first B-series satellite will be launched in late 2025.
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 calibration old and new instruments. A later tandem mission may also be possible between Metop-SG-A1 and FORUM satellites in the future.