On July 1, 2025, the Meteosat Third Generation Sounder 1 (MTG-S1) satellite was successfully launched into geostationary orbit, marking a significant advancement in Europe's meteorological capabilities. This mission is part of the Meteosat Third Generation program, which aims to enhance weather forecasting and climate monitoring across Europe and beyond.
MTG-S1 carries two primary instruments: the Infrared Sounder (IRS) and the Copernicus Sentinel-4 Ultraviolet-Visible-Near-Infrared (UVN) spectrometer. The IRS is designed to provide three-dimensional profiles of temperature, humidity, and trace gases in the atmosphere, enabling more accurate detection of severe weather events. The Sentinel-4 UVN spectrometer focuses on monitoring air quality by measuring concentrations of pollutants and aerosols, contributing to improved environmental monitoring and public health assessments.
The launch of MTG-S1 is a collaborative effort involving the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), and various industry partners. The satellite was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and is now positioned approximately 36,000 kilometers above the equator, aligned with Earth's rotation to maintain a continuous view of Europe and surrounding regions.
This mission represents a significant milestone in Europe's efforts to enhance its weather monitoring capabilities, providing valuable data to support more timely and accurate weather forecasts, as well as improved air quality assessments.