European Space Agency
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Future missions in italics
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Future spaceflights
| Manufacturer | Airbus Defence and Space | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designer | European Space Agency | ||
| Operator | EUMETSAT | ||
| Applications | Meteorology | ||
| Specifications | |||
| Spacecraft type | Satellite | ||
| Bus | Astrobus | ||
| Launch mass | ~4 tonnes | ||
| Regime | 831 km Sun-synchronous orbit | ||
| Design life | 7.5 years | ||
| Production | |||
| Status | Under Construction | ||
| On order | 6 | ||
| Built | 0 | ||
| Launched | 0 | ||
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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 €1.3 billion in total for six spacecraft (on average €266.7 million 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.[1]