Europe’s New Weather Satellite Now in Orbit

Europe’s new polar-orbiting weather satellite, Metop-SGA1, has successfully reached low-Earth orbit following three days of complex manoeuvres by an international team of experts. The satellite now orbits just over 800 kilometres above the Earth.

The launch marks a major milestone in the deployment of the EUMETSAT Polar System – Second Generation (EPS-SG), Europe’s next-generation polar satellite programme. EPS-SG is designed to provide critical data to improve weather forecasts and a wide range of services, benefiting lives and economies across EUMETSAT member states. The programme is expected to deliver a return on investment of at least 20 to one to the EU-27 economy.

Metop-SGA1 lifted off at 02:37 CEST on 13 August from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, aboard an Ariane-62 rocket. It is the first satellite in the EPS-SG programme and carries advanced instruments, including the European Union’s Copernicus Sentinel-5 mission.

The Launch and Early Orbit Phase, known as LEOP, involved deploying solar panels, activating the propulsion system, stabilising the satellite’s orientation and performing a series of orbital manoeuvres. The satellite is now drifting alongside its predecessor, Metop-C, to improve the accuracy, stability and continuity of Earth observation data.

Valeria Bozzi, Metop LEOP Service Manager at EUMETSAT, said: “Successfully positioning Metop-SGA1 in orbit reflects years of teamwork and dedication from engineers and managers at EUMETSAT, ESA, Airbus and Telespazio. We now move into the satellite’s commissioning phase, preparing it for full operations. It will become a key source of data for numerical weather prediction, improving forecasts and strengthening climate monitoring in Europe and around the world.”

The satellite’s full commissioning will begin in the coming weeks, with updates available through EUMETSAT’s launch hub, which includes news, interviews and insights into Metop-SGA1’s journey.