EUMETSAT - Satellites

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Satellites: Satellite Programmes Overview; Meteosat First Generation; Meteosat Second Generation; Meteosat Third Generation; Metop; EPS-SG; Jason-2; Sentinel-3; Ground Network

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 [Internal link] Member and Cooperating States.

Current Satellites


Meteosat First Generation (IODC) Orbit type: Geostationary Meteosat First Generation is a series of geostationary satellites that have provided images of the full Earth disc, and data for weather forecasts, in a continuous and reliable stream for a quarter of a century. Meteosat-7 is the last operational satellite in this series and is now in orbit above the Indian Ocean.	Meteosat Second Generation Orbit type: Geostationary Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) is a significantly enhanced follow-on system to the previous generation of Meteosat. MSG consists of a series of four geostationary meteorological satellites that will operate consecutively until 2020.

Metop Orbit type: Low Earth Metop is Europe's first polar orbiting operational meteorological satellite system, and it is the European contribution to the Initial Joint Polar-Orbiting Operational Satellite System (IJPS).	Jason-2 Orbit type: Low Earth Jason-2 is a Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellite, flying at an altitude of around 1,300 km. The main instruments on board are a radar altimeter, a microwave radiometer, and several precise orbit determination systems.

Future Satellites

Meteosat Third Generation Orbit type: Geostationary EUMETSAT is preparing for the next European operational geostationary meteorological satellite system in the form of the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG).	Preparation of the EPS Second Generation Orbit type: Low Earth Activities are on-going for the definition of the follow-on EUMETSAT Polar System, to replace the current satellite system in the 2020 timeframe.

Jason-3 Orbit type: Low Earth The Jason-3 programme is led by EUMETSAT and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).	Sentinel-3 Orbit type: Low Earth Sentinel-3 is primarily a mission to support services relating to the marine environment, with capability to serve numerous land-, atmospheric- and cryospheric-based application areas.

Past Satellites

Meteosat First Generation Orbit type: Geostationary Meteosat First Generation is a series of geostationary satellites that have provided images of the full Earth disc, and data for weather forecasts, in a continuous and reliable stream for a quarter of a century.

Ground Network

Ground Network The Ground Network is responsible for receiving and turning the satellite instrument data into useful products for end users. This encompasses ground receiving stations, the satellite control centre and data processing application facilities.