MetOp-SG

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. In May 2014 during the ILA Berlin Air Show, in the presence of German chancellor Angela Merkel, ESA, EUMETSAT and Airbus Defence and Space signed the first documents for the development of the second generation of MetOp satellites. On 16 October 2014 a contract was signed with Airbus Defence and Space for the construction of the satellites, worth €1.3 billion in total for six spacecraft (on average €266.7 million each). In December 2014 additional contracts were signed for Ice Cloud Imagers to be used on the B-series satellites and three microwave sounder instruments. MetOp-SG satellites are being 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 (MetOp-SG A1/Sentinel-5A) was launched on Ariane 6 on 12 August 2025, and the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) of commissioning was successfully completed 3 days later. The first B-series satellite (MetOp-SG B1) is set to launch in 2026, also using the Ariane 6 rocket. MetOp-SG satellites are a follow on from the three MetOp satellites and therefore a short tandem mission was performed from April to June 2026 between the MetOp-SG-A1 and MetOp-C satellites to cross calibrate old and new instruments. A tandem mission will also be flown between MetOp-SG-A1 and the FORUM satellite in the future.