The first satellite in Europe’s new generation meteorological and climate monitoring series has been launched. Named MetOp Second Generation-A1 (MetOp-SG-A1), the four-tonne satellite was carried into its operational polar orbit by an ESA Ariane 6 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana.
The spacecraft carries the Sentinel-5 instrument, part of the European Copernicus programme, designed to deliver critical data on atmospheric pollutants, ozone, and other climate-relevant gases. ESA confirmed the launch proceeded nominally, with solar arrays deploying correctly.
Developed jointly by ESA and Eumetsat (the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites), the mission will ultimately deploy three successive pairs of satellites – each pair comprising one A-type and one B-type satellite equipped with different but complementary instruments. MetOp-SG-A1 is the first A-type satellite, featuring the Copernicus Sentinel-5 spectrometer, the Earth observation component of the EU Space Programme.
“With increasingly irregular weather patterns, timely and accurate forecasts have never been more essential,” stated Simonetta Cheli, ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes. “The MetOp-SG mission is set to play a crucial role in improving weather prediction and climate monitoring. Sentinel-5 will, in turn, provide timely data for air pollution surveillance.”
Eumetsat Director General Phil Evans added, “The launch of MetOp-SG-A1 is a major step forward in equipping our Member States’ national weather services with more effective tools to save lives, protect property, and build resilience against the climate crisis.” Evans noted that extreme weather events have cost Europe hundreds of billions of euros and tens of thousands of lives over the past 40 years.
Italy played a significant role. The Fucino Space Centre, operated by Leonardo Group subsidiary Telespazio, monitored the launch, solar array deployment, and critical orbital insertion phases. Leonardo also supplied electro-optical instruments for both the MetOp-SG-A1 satellite and the Copernicus Sentinel-5 payload, manufactured at its Campi Bisenzio (Florence) site.
“Earth observation from Space is one of the most relevant and strategic frontiers for our planet,” remarked Massimo Claudio Comparini, Leonardo’s Managing Director of Space Division. “It’s vital for understanding and tackling global challenges related to the environment, sustainability, and security. The MetOp-SG-A1 mission by ESA and Eumetsat, alongside Sentinel-5 for Copernicus, represent a new chapter in this vision. We continue with increased commitment to design solutions integrating cutting-edge technologies, digital tools, and systemic innovation, leveraging European industrial expertise to build a sustainable future through space.”