Air pollution remains the leading environmental health risk in Europe, with exposure to fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ground-level ozone linked to more than 350,000 premature deaths across European Union countries in 2022. A powerful new European satellite instrument has now returned its first images from space, offering a new window into the atmosphere and the particles that influence our health, weather and climate.
On the opening day of the 30th edition of the
EUMETSAT Meteorological Satellite Conference, experts revealed the first images from the Multi-Viewing, Multi-Channel, Multi-Polarisation Imager (3MI), which is designed to observe multiple signatures of the Earth’s atmosphere at once. When operational, the data streams from 3MI will support more accurate forecasts, better air quality and climate monitoring, and improved public health protection across Europe and beyond.
3MI, which sits on board the recently launched
Metop Second Generation A1 (Metop-SGA1) satellite, began capturing images on 28 August 2025, just over two weeks after the launch of the satellite. The first images reveal fine atmospheric features with remarkable precision, including smoke from devastating wildfires in Southern Europe, and stunning rainbow cloud structures over Peru and Chile.
3MI is the result of more than 15 years of collaborative work by EUMETSAT, the European Space Agency, Leonardo, Airbus Defence and Space, and an international network of partners. It is Europe’s first operational polarimeter in space and one of only a few worldwide, building on the legacy of the Polarisation and Directionality of the Earth's Reflectances (POLDER) instrument – a mission led by the French space agency (CNES), which demonstrated how polarised light could provide valuable insights into atmospheric particles such as smoke, dust and salt, as well as clouds structures.
3MI now brings this capability into Europe’s operational weather satellite infrastructure and will provide continuous data for years to come, with the first images following successful recent high-quality data releases from other Metop-SGA1 instruments, the Microwave Sounder and the Radio Occultation Sounder.
From space to safety: the European and global meteorological community meets in Lyon
How can satellite data help Europe better prepare for extreme weather and respond to climate change? That question is at the heart of the 2025 EUMETSAT Conference, taking place this week in Lyon, France.
Around 500 experts from across Europe and beyond are gathering at the Lyon Congress Centre from 15-19 September under the theme “From Space to Safety: Earth Observation for Future Weather and Climate Preparedness” to explore how meteorological satellite observations are transformed into action – for instance, through improved forecasts, stronger climate monitoring and practical services for society. Co-hosted by Météo-France, the event brings together leaders from national meteorological services, space agencies, academia, NGOs, industry, policymakers and the media.
Phil Evans, Director-General of EUMETSAT, said: “2024 was the hottest year ever recorded, in Europe and globally, and European countries are increasingly seeing weather extremes marked by devastating heat, drought, floods, fires and violent storms. From high above Earth, meteorological satellites can reveal the scale and fine detail of some of the world’s most critical weather and climate stories. That perspective is reflected in this year’s conference theme, from space to safety. The discussions in Lyon will explore how satellite data can be used to improve forecasts, strengthen responses to climate change and enable national and regional bodies to deliver services that protect lives, property and economies. By bringing together such a diverse community, it can forge better connections and knowledge that turn data into action for people across Europe and around the world.”
Virginie Schwarz, Chief Executive Officer of Météo-France, said: “Governments, businesses and citizens need reliable weather and climate services more than ever. For the weather and climate services provided by Météo-France, meteorological satellite data are indispensable, providing more than 90% of the information that goes into our global numerical weather prediction model. They support our forecasts and climate monitoring and give decision makers the knowledge they need to take faster, more effective action as climate change drives more extreme weather events. What makes this conference so important is the chance to share ideas, learn from each other and strengthen partnerships. Delegates will leave not only with fresh insights, but with connections that will last well beyond the week we spend together in Lyon.”
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