An update on EUMETSAT programmes and plans

EUMETSAT is providing space observations for operational meteorology and climate monitoring, operating geostationary and sun-synchronous polar orbiting satellites through mandatory programmes. Optional programmes provide complementary observations for altimetry and oceanography. Data and products from partner agencies’ satellites are made available by to the user community through EUMETSAT third party programmes. EUMETSAT’s current fleet of operational geostationary spacecraft comprises the four satellites of the Second Generation of Meteosat (MSG), Meteosat-8, Meteosat-9, Meteosat-10 and Meteosat-11. Meteosat-11 was being taken out of in orbit storage and become the prime satellite in early 2018. Meteosat-8 continues to contribute to the IODC service. The EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS) provides data from sun-synchronous polar orbit with currently two satellites: Metop-B, launched in September 2012 and currently the prime satellite, and Metop-A, the first of the series, in orbit since October 2006. The third of the series of three satellites, Metop-C is planned to be launched in November 2018. These satellites are part of the Initial Joint Polar System (IJPS) together with the US. EUMETSAT’s first optional programme continues to provide data from the Jason-2 and Jason-3 satellites. To assure continuity in the mandatory missions the development of Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) is ongoing. The EPS-SG (EPS Second generation) programme is also under full development. In the frame of the Copernicus Programme EUMETSAT operates the Sentinel-3A satellite and provides operational marine products. Sentinel-3B, a second satellite, was launched in April 2018 and is currently under commissioning.