Designer European Space Agency Applications Meteorology Bus Astrobus | Operator EUMETSAT Spacecraft type Satellite | |
Manufacturer Airbus Defence and Space | ||
MetOp-SG (Meteorological Operational Satellite - Second Generation) is a series of six meteorological satellites developed by European Space Agency and EUMETSAT to be deployed from year 2021.
Development
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. 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). In December 2014 additional contracts were signed for Ice Cloud Imagers to be used on B-series satellites and three MicroWave Sounder instruments.
MetOp-SG satellites will come in two series: A carrying optical instruments and B with microwave sensors. First A-series satellite will be launched in 2021, while first B-series satellite will be launched in 2022.