On February 20, 2025, registered media will have the opportunity to observe the Meteosat Third Generation Sounder (MTG-S) and the Copernicus Sentinel-4 mission at the OHB cleanroom in Bremen, Germany. This event precedes the spacecraft's shipment to the U.S. for launch.
The first MTG satellite, launched in December 2022, has already provided unprecedented detail for weather forecasting in Europe. MTG-S, the second satellite in the constellation, is equipped with Europe’s first operational Infrared Sounder instrument and carries the Copernicus Sentinel-4 mission, which will monitor air quality using its ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light (UVN) spectrometer.
MTG-S is set to enhance atmospheric observations, delivering hourly data on air quality and pollution across Europe. The combined weight of the two instruments is 650 kg, while the fully assembled spacecraft weighs over 3.8 tonnes and stands more than five meters tall.
This satellite will produce three-dimensional images of Earth's atmosphere, potentially detecting localized atmospheric instabilities that could signal the onset of major storms earlier than the existing Meteosat Second Generation satellites.
The media visit program includes check-in, expert presentations, and opportunities for interviews with leading specialists from ESA, Eumetsat, and other organizations involved in the project.
MTG is a collaboration between ESA and Eumetsat, ensuring continuity of data from geostationary orbit, 36,000 km above Earth. The system comprises six satellites, with MTG-S1 being the second to launch.
Thales Alenia Space serves as the prime contractor for the Meteosat Third Generation, working alongside OHB, the main contractor for MTG-S. The Sentinel-4 mission will utilize data from both the UVN spectrometer and the Infrared Sounder aboard MTG-S, contributing to the Copernicus Atmosphere Services.
Media representatives must register by February 14, 2025, to attend the event. For more information, visit the ESA website.