Latest news with #Metop-SGA1
Business Wire
a day ago
- Science
- Business Wire
EUMETSAT Assumes Control of Inaugural Metop Second Generation Satellite
DARMSTADT, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EUMETSAT's Mission Control Centre has officially taken the reins of the Metop Second Generation A1 (Metop-SGA1) satellite, following the successful completion of the spacecraft's launch and early operations phase (LEOP). Over three intense days, experts worked together to perform a series of complex steps and manoeuvres to guide the satellite into its low-Earth orbit – just over 800 kilometres above the Earth's surface, an endeavour made possible through the dedicated collaboration of EUMETSAT, the European Space Agency (ESA), Telespazio Italy, Airbus Defence and Space, and other partners. The successful completion of Metop-SGA1's LEOP marks a major milestone in the deployment of the EUMETSAT Polar System – Second Generation (EPS-SG), Europe's next-generation polar-orbiting weather satellite programme. EPS-SG will provide critical data for improving life-saving weather forecasts and a wide range of other critical services that benefit lives and livelihoods across EUMETSAT member states and beyond. It is expected to deliver a return on investment of at least 20:1 to the EU-27 economy. Metop-SGA1 lifted off at 02:37 CEST on 13 August 2025 from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on board an Ariane-62 rocket. It is the first satellite in the EPS-SG programme to be launched and carries a suite of cutting-edge instruments, including the European Union's Copernicus Sentinel-5 mission. The LEOP began when Metop-SGA1 separated from its launch vehicle, initiating a carefully planned and executed sequence of activities, including solar panel deployment, propulsion system activation, attitude stabilisation, and a series of orbital manoeuvres. The satellite is now drifting in tandem with its predecessor, Metop-C – a strategy designed to improve the accuracy, stability and continuity of Earth observation data provided by Metop series satellites. 'While the LEOP lasted just three intense days, successfully positioning Metop-SGA1 in orbit in the correct configuration on board is an achievement that reflects years of outstanding teamwork and dedication from engineers and managers at EUMETSAT, ESA, Airbus, and Telespazio,' said Valeria Bozzi, Metop LEOP Service Manager at EUMETSAT. 'Now that EUMETSAT has taken control of Metop-SGA1, we move into the satellite's commissioning phase – preparing it for full operations, where it will become one of the most important sources of data for numerical weather prediction. This will help improve life-saving forecasts and strengthen climate monitoring in Europe and around the world.' For further updates on Metop-SGA1, visit EUMETSAT's launch hub, which features news, interviews, and insights into the satellite's journey. Find all relevant information, biographies of speakers, videos and testimonials on our dedicated press page. About EUMETSAT EUMETSAT, Europe's meteorological satellite agency, monitors the weather and climate from space. Based in Darmstadt, Germany, EUMETSAT provides its 30 member states with meteorological imagery and data that are essential for keeping their communities safe and for the benefit of critical sectors of their economies. For more information:
The Star
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
Satellite project could save lives, give extreme weather warnings
A new system involving satellites would help better predict extreme weather. — Photo: Jordi Boixareu/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa LONDON: A series of satellites are set to be launched into space over the next 15 years to help 'save lives' and give early warning of increasingly extreme weather, British experts have said. The Metop Second Generation project aims to make weather forecasting more accurate by providing more detailed information for prediction models which will feed into Met Office data. The first satellite, Metop-SG A1, was launched from French Guiana on Wednesday to start collecting data on weather patterns next year. The European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMetSat) and the European Space Agency are leading the project, which will see six satellites sent into a low-earth orbit. The project hopes to improve short-range and long-term forecasts, which will also help scientists monitor increasingly extreme weather across the world. Phil Evans, director general of EUMetSat, said the new satellites would help to save lives by predicting increasingly extreme weather before it happens. He said: 'Extreme weather has cost Europe hundreds of billions of euros and tens of thousands of lives over the past 40 years — storms like Boris, Daniel and Hans, record heatwaves and fierce wildfires are just the latest reminders. 'The launch of Metop-SG A1 is a major step forward in giving national weather services in our member states sharper tools to save lives, protect property and build resilience against the climate crisis.' Once in use, the satellites could see improved forecasts for up to 10 days ahead in Europe and worldwide. The data can also help short-range forecasts and enable experts to spot tell-tale signs of early storm development and other high-impact weather events, especially those at higher latitudes. On the satellite will be a tracker called the Copernicus Sentinel 5 mission, which will primarily be used for monitoring air quality and long-term climate monitoring. The satellite will station itself about 800km above the Earth and complete one full orbit every 100 minutes, passing close to the north and south poles – enabling it to take images of the entire globe over the course of the day. As well as imaging, the satellite will use other equipment like sounders in order to collect data on temperature, precipitation, clouds, winds, pollution and other factors to predict weather. This information will be fed back to stations such as the newly-installed satellite tracking dish at the Met Office headquarters in Exeter. This will be 'absolutely vital' for weather forecasters, said Simon Keogh, head of space applications at the Met Office. He said: 'We know how important satellite data is for forecast accuracy, with around a quarter of existing accuracy coming from this source. 'The next generation of these satellites is important not only for maintaining existing accuracy as old systems go offline, but also for enhancing observations for the next generation of weather forecasts. 'This project is absolutely vital as we make sure we can continue to deliver more accurate forecasts for the next five days and beyond.' UK science minister Lord Vallance said: 'Our weather is becoming more extreme and more unpredictable. This launch is the latest result of the UK investing with European partners to bolster weather predictions so we can keep up with our changing climate. 'Harnessing the world-class insights from this satellite will improve our ability to predict high-impact weather events even earlier. This will protect our infrastructure, our economy and save lives, keeping our plan for change on track.' On Tuesday, the fourth heatwave of the summer was announced, with organisations issuing amber health warnings and a possible risk to life from the high temperatures. The world experienced its third-warmest July on record this year, experts said, with heat and deadly floods throughout the month. – PA Media/dpa
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Science
- Economic Times
UFO seen in Canada? Bright luminous object spins across night sky
Synopsis A strange light appeared in the sky over southern Quebec. People thought it was a UFO. Social media was full of photos and videos. But, astronomers say it was a rocket. The rocket launched a European weather satellite. It was visible because of its polar orbit. The spinning rocket released gases, creating the swirling light. Many people saw the event. TIL Creatives Bright luminous spiral in night sky turns out to be Ariane 6 rocket stage A mysterious light streaked across the night sky over southern Quebec on Tuesday(August 12), leaving stargazers and casual skywatchers alike scratching their heads. Observers described a luminous spiral of light, seemingly floating and spinning in the darkness, sparking speculation on social media about UFOs or extraterrestrial visitors. Photos and videos quickly went viral, capturing a glowing trail with a fuzzy halo that lit up the night. But astronomers say there's no need to call the X-Files just yet. According to the Facebook post of Astrolab du parc national du Mont-Mégantic, the spectacle was 'in all likelihood the second stage of an Ariane 6 rocket igniting its engine to de-orbit after releasing a European weather satellite.'The European Space Agency confirmed the satellite on their website, Metop-SGA1, was launched from Kourou, French Guiana, at 9:37 pm local time, marking the beginning of a new era in polar-orbit weather Robert Lamontagne explained why the rocket was visible from Canada to CBC News. 'Most launches are equatorial and barely visible this far north. But a polar orbit means the rocket circles the Earth over the poles, making it visible from Montreal and southern Quebec.' Timing played a key role. The rocket, soaring high above the Earth, remained illuminated by the sun even as the ground below was in twilight. 'As the second stage re-entered the atmosphere, it was spinning and releasing exhaust gases, that's the swirling light people saw,' Lamontagne Canadian Space Agency confirmed the event, noting that numerous witnesses captured videos and images. The moment left many skywatchers awestruck.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
UFO seen in Canada? Bright luminous object spins across night sky
A mysterious light streaked across the night sky over southern Quebec on Tuesday(August 12), leaving stargazers and casual skywatchers alike scratching their heads. Observers described a luminous spiral of light , seemingly floating and spinning in the darkness, sparking speculation on social media about UFOs or extraterrestrial visitors. Photos and videos quickly went viral, capturing a glowing trail with a fuzzy halo that lit up the night. But astronomers say there's no need to call the X-Files just yet. According to the Facebook post of Astrolab du parc national du Mont-Mégantic , the spectacle was 'in all likelihood the second stage of an Ariane 6 rocket igniting its engine to de-orbit after releasing a European weather satellite.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Suffering From Pain After Age 50? Do This Every Morning Wellnee Undo The European Space Agency confirmed the satellite on their website, Metop-SGA1, was launched from Kourou, French Guiana, at 9:37 pm local time, marking the beginning of a new era in polar-orbit weather monitoring. Astrophysicist Robert Lamontagne explained why the rocket was visible from Canada to CBC News. 'Most launches are equatorial and barely visible this far north. But a polar orbit means the rocket circles the Earth over the poles, making it visible from Montreal and southern Quebec.' Live Events Timing played a key role. The rocket, soaring high above the Earth, remained illuminated by the sun even as the ground below was in twilight. 'As the second stage re-entered the atmosphere, it was spinning and releasing exhaust gases, that's the swirling light people saw,' Lamontagne said. The Canadian Space Agency confirmed the event, noting that numerous witnesses captured videos and images. The moment left many skywatchers awestruck.
Daily Tribune
5 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Tribune
European satellite aims to monitor extreme weather
The Ariane 6 rocket yesterday blasted off carrying Europe's next generation satellite for warning against extreme weather events. As many European countries simmer in a deadly heatwave, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) said its MetOp-SGA1 satellite will give 'earlier warnings to help protect lives and property from extreme weather'. 'Metop-SGA1 observations will help meteorologists improve short- and medium-term weather models that can save lives by enabling early warnings of storms, heatwaves, and other disasters, and help farmers to protect crops, grid operators to manage energy supply, and pilots and sailors to navigate safely,' the agency added.
