Monitoring weather and climate from space

Satellite Programmes Overview

EUMETSAT operates a fleet of meteorological satellites, and their related ground systems, to deliver reliable and cost-efficient data, images and products. These, in turn, service requirements for weather and climate monitoring — primarily of national meteorological services in the Member- and Cooperating States.

Our present system includes two generations of geostationary Meteosat satellites. Their global overview is complemented by the detailed observations provided by the polar orbiting Metop satellite and the marine observer, Jason-2 — a joint project of space agencies in Europe and the United States.

The next generation of Meteosat — Meteosat Third Generation — is planned to become operational in the early 2020s.

Meteosat satellites

Satellite Status Orbit Lifetime Position Services
MSG-4 Future Geostationary 2015 3.4° E/35,800 km
Meteosat-10 Current Geostationary 2012–2028 0°/35,800 km 0º SEVIRI Image Data. Real-time Imagery
Meteosat-9 Current Geostationary 2005–2022 9.5° E/35,800 km Rapid Scan Service from 9 April. Real-time Imagery
Meteosat-8 Current Geostationary 2002–2018 3.5° E/35,800 km Backup service for 0°+RSS from 9 April
Meteosat-7 Current Geostationary 1997–2016 57.5° E/35,800 km Indian Ocean Coverage. Real-time Imagery

Metop satellites

Satellite Status Orbit Lifetime Position Services
Metop-C Future Low Earth Orbit 2017– 800 km
Metop-B Current Low Earth Orbit 2012– 800 km Global Data Service. Regional Data Service. Direct Readout Service. Real-time Imagery
Metop-A Current Low Earth Orbit 2006– 800 km Global Data Service. Regional Data Service. Direct Readout Service. Real-time Imagery

Future satellite programmes

Satellite Orbit Launch date
Jason-3 Geostationary 2014
Meteosat Third Generation (Imager) Geostationary 2018
Meteosat Third Generation (Sounder) Geostationary 2020
 
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