MTG-S1 Launched: Europe's First Infrared Sounder Satellite
Last July, Ariane 6 successfully launched, but it has only flown once since, sending a French reconnaissance satellite into orbit in March. Meanwhile, a Falcon 9 rocket launched the MTG-S1 spacecraft in July 2023, marking a significant event in European space operations.
The MTG-S1, part of the Meteosat Third Generation series operated by Eumetsat, was launched by a Falcon 9 rocket. The manufacturer of the spacecraft remains unclear, but it's known that Eumetsat typically contracts European aerospace companies for such projects. The decision to use a Falcon 9 was strategic, ensuring the launch in 2025 as intended.
The Falcon 9 successfully deployed the MTG-S1 into a geostationary transfer orbit around 35 minutes after liftoff. Eumetsat plans to launch future satellites, like Metop-SG-A1, on European rockets, indicating a commitment to regional space industry development.
The European Space Agency confirmed receiving a signal from the MTG-S1, which then deployed its solar arrays. This satellite is the second in the Meteosat Third Generation program and the first with an infrared sounder as its primary instrument. It also carries the Sentinel-4 instrument, part of the Copernicus Earth observation program, to monitor atmospheric pollutants such as ozone and sulfur dioxide.
The launch of MTG-S1, almost a year after Eumetsat's decision to switch from Ariane 6 to Falcon 9, demonstrates the successful cooperation between European and American space agencies. The infrared sounder on MTG-S1 will provide hourly updates on atmospheric temperature and water vapor profiles, significantly enhancing weather forecasting capabilities.
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