The Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) Programme is a EUMETSAT geostationary satellite mission developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). It will ensure the future continuity with, and enhancement of, operational meteorological and climate data from Geostationary Orbit as currently provided by the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) system. The MTG satellites series is composed of 4 MTG-I and 2 MTG-S to bring to the meteorological community a continuous Imagery and Sounding capabilities with high spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution observations including geophysical parameters of the Earth based on new state-of-the-art sensors.
The first satellite (MTG-I1) was launched on 13th December 2022 by an Ariane 5 rocket. It features the Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) and the Lightning Imager (LI). MTG-S series of satellites, whose first launch is planned in 2025, embarks the Infra-Red Sounder (IRS) and the Sentinel-4/ Ultra-violet/Visible/Near-Infrared (UVN) sounder instruments on geostationary orbit.
This presentation will summarise the outcomes of the Cal/Val of the MTG-I1 FCI and LI Level-1 and Level-2 operational products, and will provide the status of the MTG-S1 mission.
The Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) Programme is a EUMETSAT geostationary satellite mission developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). It will ensure the future continuity with, and enhancement of, operational meteorological (and climate) data from Geostationary Orbit as currently provided by the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) system. The MTG satellites series is composed of 4 MTG-I and 2 MTG-S to bring to the meteorological community a continuous Imagery and Sounding capabilities with high spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution observations including geophysical parameters of the Earth based on state-of-the-art sensors. The first satellite (MTG-I1) was launched on 13th December 2022 by an Ariane 5 rocket. The commissioning of the whole system is expected to span over 2023. As part of the space segment of the mission, ESA and EUMETSAT performed the commissioning phase with the support of the Prime Contractor and the main unit's sub-contractors and suppliers. The recurrent satellites are being integrated and stored awaiting the availability of launchers, with a plan to launch MTG-S1 in Q1/2025 and MTG-I2 in Q1/2026. The main elements of the MTG-S1 satellite are now integrated and undergoing module level on-ground testing. This paper will address the overall mission and its instruments high level design features. It will introduce the MTG-I1 satellite performances as measured in-orbit and processed during the commissioning phase, before entering the routine operations and will discuss the future.
Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) is a series of 3 geo-stationary satellites developed and procured by the European Space Agency (ESA) on behalf of the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). The first satellite (MSG-1) was launched on August 29, 2002 by an Ariane 5 rocket.
SEVIRI is the main MSG payload and produces 12 channels imaging in visible and IR range. The 8 Infrared Channels in the 3.9-13.4 mm band benefit from high radiometric performances thanks to the use of detectors operating at 95K and cooled by specifically designed passive radiator. During the commissioning phase, dedicated tests have been conducted to verify the SEVIRI functionality and performances. This paper presents briefly the SEVIRI design and highlights the correlation of data obtained in-flight by EUMETSAT with the ground predictions.
A particular emphasis is put on the in-orbit evolution of the IR channel gains and on the instrument decontamination.
ESA and EUMETSAT have initiated joint preparatory activities for the formulation and definition of
the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) geostationary system to ensure the future continuity, and
enhancement, of the current Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) system. The MTG programmatics are
being established to ensure a seamless transition between the conclusion of the successful MSG
operational system and the start of the new MTG operational system, with particular emphasis on
continuity of the imagery missions.
The MTG phase A studies were successfully concluded in December 2008 an re-consolidation phase
B1 activities continued from January to July 2009. They were devoted to the MTG concept definition
and requirements consolidation for meeting the User needs in the field of Nowcasting and Very Short
Term Weather Forecasting (NWC), Medium/Short Range global and regional Numerical Weather
Prediction (NWP), Climate, Air Quality and Composition Monitoring. The following missions have
been analysed, measurement techniques studied and preliminary concepts established:
- High Resolution Fast Imagery Mission (improved successor to MSG SEVIRI HRV mission)
- Full Disk High Spectral Resolution Imagery Mission (improved successor to SEVIRI)
- Lightning Imagery Mission
- IR Sounding Mission
- UV-VIS-NIR Sounding Mission
Both space segment architecture and preliminary satellite and instrument concepts were investigated in
the course of these studies, and a dual satellite configuration established comprising the Imaging
satellite (MTG-I) and the sounding satellite (MTG-S). The study covered all elements to a level of
detail allowing to establish a technical baseline, conclude on the feasibility of the system requirements
and undertake preliminary programmatic evaluation.
Riders to the Phase A studies (Phase B1 work) have been placed to further consolidate the satellite and
payload definition and development, prior to the release of the Invitation To Tender (ITT) for the full
space segment implementation in July 2009.
This paper provides an overview of the conclusions of those MTG space segment studies. It
summarises the conclusions reached for the satellites, and associated instruments relating to Imaging,
IR Sounding and Lightning missions, with respect to achievable performances, including Radiometry
and Image Navigation and Registration aspects.
ESA and EUMETSAT have initiated joint preparatory activities for the formulation and definition of
the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) geostationary system to ensure the continuity and improvement
of the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) system. The MTG will become the new system to be the
backbone of the European operational meteorological services from 2015, in particular, will ensure the
continuation of the imagery missions. The first phases were devoted to the definition and consolidation
of end user requirements and priorities in the field of Nowcasting and Very Short Term Weather
Forecasting (NWC), Medium/Short Range global and regional Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP),
Climate and Air Composition Monitoring and to the definition of the relevant observation techniques.
The following missions have been analysed and preliminary concepts studied:
The Flexible Combined Imager, an improvement of the actual MSG-SEVIRI Imager
Lightning Imagery Mission
IR Sounding Mission
UV-VIS-NIR Sounding Mission as a payload complement from GMES.
After pre-phase A mission studies (2003-2006), where preliminary instrument concepts were
investigated allowing in the same time to consolidate the technical requirements for the overall system
study, a phase A study on MTG has been launched at the beginning of February 2007 for the space
segment system feasibility and programmatic aspects to be accomplished during 2007-2008 time
frame. The space segment phase A study will cover all elements to the level of details allowing to
conclude on the feasibility of the system and to produce cost estimates with a good level of confidence.
This paper provides an overview of the outcome of the MTG space segment at the end of phase A,
addressing the progress accomplished for the various payloads in terms of achievable performances
including Radiometry and Image Navigation and Registration aspects. It namely focuses onto the
Imaging and IR Sounding, Lightning Missions, introduces the UV-VIS-NIR Sounding mission concept
status, establishes the critical technologies and introduces the way forward to the implementation of the
MTG development programme.
ESA and EUMETSAT have initiated joint preparatory activities for the formulation and definition of the Meteosat Third
Generation (MTG) geostationary system to ensure the continuity and improvement of the Meteosat Second Generation
(MSG) system. The MTG will become the new system to be the backbone of the European operational meteorological
services from 2015, in particular, will ensure the continuation of the imagery missions. The first phases were devoted
to the definition and consolidation of end user requirements and priorities in the field of Nowcasting and Very Short
Term Weather Forecasting (NWC), Medium/Short Range global and regional Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP),
Climate and Air Composition Monitoring and to the definition of the relevant observation techniques. The following
missions have been analysed and preliminary concepts studied:
- High Resolution Fast Imagery Mission (successor to MSG SEVIRI HRV mission)
- Full Disk High Spectral Resolution Imagery Mission (successor to the mission of other MSG-SEVIRI channels)
- Lightning Imagery Mission
- IR Sounding Mission
- UV-VIS-NIR Sounding Mission
After pre-phase A mission studies (2003-2006), where preliminary instrument concepts were investigated allowing in the
same time to consolidate the technical requirements for the overall system study, a phase A study on MTG has been
launched at the beginning of February 2007 for the space segment system feasibility and programmatic aspects to be
accomplished during 2007-2008 time frame. The space segment phase A study will cover all elements to the level of
details allowing to conclude on the feasibility of the system and to produce cost estimates with a good level of
confidence.
This paper addresses an overview of the outcome of the MTG space segment progress (spacecraft concept, payload
preliminary design studies) accomplished in the frame of the phase A. It namely focuses onto the Imaging and IR
Sounding Missions, highlights the platform and resulting instrument concepts, establishes the critical technologies and
introduces the study progress towards the implementation of the MTG development programme.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.