EUMETSAT, The European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission, together with European partners, are pleased to invite you to celebrate the upcoming launch of the Metop-Second Generation A1 (Metop-SGA1) satellite, hosting the Copernicus Sentinel-5 mission.
The launch will take place no earlier than the 12 August, from the European Spaceport in Kourou, on board an Ariane-62 launcher.
Metop-SGA1 will be the first satellite from the second generation of Metop polar orbiting satellites to be launched. The Metop Second Generation series satellites will further Metop’s role as the single most important source of meteorological observations for forecasts 12 hours to 10 days ahead, until the mid-2040s. Their benefits to European countries will exceed 63 billion euros over their lifetime, with a benefit-cost ratio of at least 20:1. These data will help to save lives, protect economies, and support services that improve the wellbeing of people across Europe and beyond.
The six instruments on board Metop-SGA1 will provide a broad range of continuous, high-resolution observations essential for operational numerical weather prediction. The payload includes the Multi-Viewing, Multi-Channel, Multi-Polarisation Imager (3MI): Europe’s first operational polarimeter that will provide atmospheric aerosol and cloud imagery for climate monitoring, air quality forecasts, and numerical weather prediction.
In addition, the spacecraft will host three missions developed by different partners:
- the Copernicus Sentinel-5 mission is an Ultraviolet, Visible, Near-Infrared and Short-Wave Infrared Sounder, part of the Copernicus programme managed by the European Commission. It will monitor atmospheric composition, including methane, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and aerosols;
- the IASI-NG instrument is developed by CNES; it will further the legacy of the IASI instrument, currently the international reference instrument for temperature and humidity measurements from space;
- the METimage instrument is developed by DLR; it will further the legacy of the AVHRR radiometer and provide observations of the Earth’s radiation in both visible and infrared frequencies.
ESA holds key roles in the development, procurement, implementation as well as in-orbit verification of Metop-SGA1 and Copernicus Sentinel-5.
Members of the media are invited to take part in: - Pre-launch media briefing – online - 28 July 2025 at 14:00 CEST
Please register with press@eumetsat.int (the connection link will be sent only to registered participants)
- The briefing will be done in English only, however spokespeople in several languages will be clearly identified for follow-up interviews
- The programme will include speakers from all partner organisations; it will be communicated soon
- Watch the launch live in Kourou – in-person - no earlier the 12 August
Media representatives are invited to express their interest in attending the Metop-SGA1 launch media event at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana by contacting press@eumetsat.int - Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory to enter French Guiana (this will be checked at the airport).
- The number of places is very limited and EUMETSAT cannot guarantee all interested media will be able to join this visit
- Accreditation formalities to access the Europe’s Spaceport will have to be completed immediately after confirmation of participation and before the 18 July 2025
- EUMETSAT and its partners will recommend flight dates and accommodation options to confirmed participants to facilitate the trip
- European launch event – in-person - no earlier than 12 August
Media representatives are invited to express their interest in attending the European Metop-SGA1 launch event at ESTEC by contacting press@eumetsat.int - A dedicated programme for journalists will take place earlier during the day, with opportunities for interviews with various experts, photos and video footage. Please get in touch with your requirements and we will do our best to accommodate them.
- The event will take place in person, at the ESA European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), Noordwijk, The Netherlands. It will start at 23:00 (TBC)
About EUMETSAT EUMETSAT, Europe’s meteorological satellite agency, monitors the weather and climate from space. Based in Darmstadt, Germany, EUMETSAT provides its 30 member states with meteorological imagery and data that are essential for keeping their communities safe and for the benefit of critical sectors of their economies.
EUMETSAT’s 30 member states are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
For more information, see the
EUMETSAT website.
Media Relations EUMETSAT:
Tel. : +49 6151 807 7320
Email:
press@eumetsat.int www.eumetsat.int About the European Commission (DEFIS) The
Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) leads the European Commission’s activities in the European
defence industry and European
space sectors. Under the leadership of Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, DG DEFIS ensures an
innovative, and competitive defence industry and implements the
Union’s Space Programme. About Copernicus Copernicus is the Earth observation component of the European Union’s Space programme, looking at our planet and its environment to benefit all European citizens. It offers information services that draw from satellite Earth Observation and in-situ (non-space) data.
Copernicus is served by a set of dedicated satellites (the Sentinel families) and contributing missions (existing commercial and public satellites). The Sentinel satellites are specifically designed to meet the needs of the Copernicus services and their users. Since the launch of Sentinel-1A in 2014, the European Union set in motion a process to place a constellation of almost 20 more satellites in orbit before 2030.
Copernicus also collects information from in situ systems such as ground stations, which deliver data acquired by a multitude of sensors on the ground, at sea or in the air.
More information For any press related questions please contact:
DEFIS-PRESS@ec.europa.eu About the European Space Agency The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.
ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
ESA has 23 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia are Associate Members.
ESA has established formal cooperation with other four Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.
By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on advancing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions.
Learn more about ESA at
www.esa.int Contact for ESA Media Relations:
media@esa.int