Overview

• On August 12–13, Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket successfully inserted the Airbus-built MetOp-SG A1 satellite into a sun-synchronous orbit about 800 kilometres above Earth.
• Mission teams have established initial communications and begun commissioning the spacecraft’s six advanced sensors, including the IASI-NG infrared sounder and Copernicus Sentinel-5 instrument.
• Scheduled to start delivering operational weather and atmospheric data during its commissioning phase next year, MetOp-SG A1 is the first of six satellites planned to ensure continuous coverage through the mid-2040s.
• The new data stream is expected to boost short- and medium-range forecast accuracy, extending reliable weather predictions and enhancing early warnings for storms, heatwaves and air-quality events.
• Developed under an ESA and EUMETSAT partnership with Airbus manufacture and launched by Arianespace, MetOp-SG A1 strengthens Europe’s polar observation capability and contributes to the US-led Joint Polar System.