NOAA N’ launched with EUMETSAT instrument on board
The NOAA N’ polar-orbiting satellite launched at 5:22 EST (11:22 CET) carries EUMETSAT’s Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS), which measures atmospheric water vapour
31 March 2022
06 February 2009
NOAA N’ is the third satellite to carry the instrument as part of EUMETSAT’s continuing cooperation with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on the Initial Joint Polar System (IJPS).
The five-channel microwave sounder measures water vapour at different heights in the atmosphere to determine vertical atmospheric humidity profiles. Water vapour is highly localised in the atmosphere and the accurate measurement of its distribution allows meteorologists to predict rainfall. Data from the MHS is used by scientists, researchers and forecasters in Numerical Weather Prediction models and nowcasting, the forecasting of dangerous and fast-forming weather such as tornadoes or flash floods.
MHS data can also be used for climate monitoring, especially with regard to humidity distribution. This helps scientists to understand the global meteorological cycle, track convective systems, and improve algorithms which determine atmospheric humidity over the poles.
The MHS is in orbit with three polar-orbiting satellites, NOAA-18, launched on 20 May 2005, EUMETSAT’s Metop-A, launched on 19 October 2006, and now NOAA-N’, to be renamed NOAA-19 after achieving proper orbit. It will also be on board Metop-B and Metop-C, planned for launch in 2012 and 2016, respectively. The three Metop satellites will cover the mid-morning orbit, while NOAA-18 and NOAA-19 will cover the afternoon orbit.
“The launch of the third satellite with our MHS instrument on board marks another milestone in the transatlantic cooperation between EUMETSAT and NOAA,” said Dr. Lars Prahm, Director-General of EUMETSAT.
The MHS was designed and built by Astrium UK, in cooperation with EUMETSAT. Metop is Europe’s first polar-orbiting meteorological satellite and constitutes the EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS), the European component of the IJPS. EUMETSAT is responsible for the morning orbit and the United States for the afternoon coverage. The three Metop satellites will provide coverage of the polar orbit until at least 2020.
Besides the United States, other EPS partners are the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), the French space agency. ESA and EUMETSAT have partnered with industry to build the Metop series of satellites and their instruments. EUMETSAT is responsible for coordinating all elements of the development, launch and operation of EPS satellites. This includes developing and procuring the ground segment and the launcher and operating the systems.
