Phil evans handshake with David Cavaillolès, Arianespace

Preparing for liftoff

 

EUMETSAT updates launch agreement with Arianespace

Phil evans handshake with David Cavaillolès, Arianespace
Phil evans handshake with David Cavaillolès, Arianespace

Updated agreement between EUMETSAT and Arianespace sets the time for the launch of the Metop Second Generation – A satellite.

Last Updated

29 January 2025

Published on

28 January 2025

EUMETSAT has updated its launch service agreement with Arianespace, bringing forward the launch of the Metop Second Generation – A1 (Metop-SGA1) satellite to August 2025. 

Metop-SGA1, the first polar-orbiting satellite launched under the EUMETSAT Polar System – Second Generation (EPS-SG) programme and carrying the European Union’s Copernicus Sentinel-5 mission, is set to launch aboard the Ariane 6 rocket from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

In addition, the Meteosat Third Generation – Imager 2 (MTG-I2) satellite, the third geostationary spacecraft in the MTG programme, and the Metop-SGB1 satellite are scheduled for launch on Ariane 6 in 2026 under existing contracts with Arianespace.

Speaking from the 2025 European Space Conference in Brussels, Phil Evans, EUMETSAT Director-General, said: “This agreement builds on our long-standing collaboration with Arianespace and highlights the vital role of European space industry in the successful delivery of our programmes. Metop-SGA1, Metop-SGB1 and MTG-I2, developed in partnership with the European Space Agency and industry, will deliver enhanced weather and environmental data to protect lives and improve livelihoods. With Arianespace’s expertise and outstanding facilities, we look forward to these satellites becoming operational and soon providing these critical data for EUMETSAT’s member states and beyond.”

EPS-SG
EPS-SG includes two meteorological satellites hosting complementary instruments – Metop-SGA and Metop-SGB
Image: EUMETSAT
 

Metop-SGA1 will be the first satellite launched under the EPS-SG programme, one of the most advanced low-Earth orbit meteorological systems ever developed. EPS-SG consists of three pairs of Metop-SG satellites – Metop-SGA1 and Metop-SGB1 being the first one – each hosting a suite of complementary instruments. Metop-SGA1 also carries the European Union’s Copernicus Sentinel-5/Ultraviolet, Visible, Near-Infrared and Short Wave Infrared Sounder mission, providing critical data to monitor trace gas concentrations and air quality.

MTG-I2 will complete the Meteosat Third Generation geostationary satellite constellation, comprising three satellites with advanced capabilities for monitoring extreme weather and much more. The system includes two imagers and one sounder, providing updates over Europe as often as every 2.5 minutes. 

Both programmes will deliver critical data invaluable for numerical weather prediction, nowcasting, climate monitoring, air pollution mapping, scientific research, and many other applications.

Arianespace has been integral to the success of EUMETSAT’s Meteosat and Metop missions, a partnership that began with the launch of Meteosat-2 aboard Ariane 1 in 1984.

David Cavaillolès, CEO of Arianespace, declared: “It is an honour to launch these three EUMETSAT groundbreaking next-generation meteorological satellites and to support the delivery of critical weather and climate data. Ariane 6 is one of the most advanced launch systems ever developed and is a cornerstone of Europe’s space ambitions, ensuring sovereign access to space in the years to come and advancing Europe’s leadership in space technology.”

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