Meteosat First Generation refers to 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. The first Meteosat, Meteosat-1, was launched in 1977, and the last of the first generation, Meteosat-7, was launched 20 years later, in 1997.

The main operational location for Meteosat is over the Equator, at 0° longitude. This is where the prime Meteosat satellite operates, providing the raw data for a wide range of meteorological products. Currently, two second generation Meteosats are positioned close to 0°, one as prime service provider, and the other as backup. A third Meteosat, of the first generation, performs the Indian Ocean Data Coverage (IODC) service, which provides operational data and images from over the Indian Ocean. A fourth Meteosat (also first generation) is positioned over the Indian Ocean as well, and functions as a backup to the IODC satellite.

The First Generation Meteosat in operation over the Indian Ocean provides data 24 hours a day from the three spectral channels of the main instrument, the Meteosat Visible and InfraRed Imager (MVIRI), every 30 minutes. The three channels are in the visible, infrared, and water vapour regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Operational history:

• Meteosat-1 1977-October 1979 *
• Meteosat-2 1981-1991
• Meteosat-3 1988-1995
• Meteosat-4 1989-1995
• Meteosat-5 1991-2007
• Meteosat-6 1993-2006
• Meteosat-7 1997-2013

*) Due to a radiometer problem the imaging stopped and the satellite was only used for data dissemination.