Spacecraft, Ariane 6, successfully launches meteorological satellites into orbit - Rocket Ariane 6 takes off, deploying weather satellites
The Ariane-6 rocket, launched from French Guiana, has successfully propelled a satellite named MetOp-SG-A1 into orbit, marking the beginning of a new era for weather forecasting. Manufactured by Airbus, this satellite is set to significantly improve the accuracy of weather predictions, not just in Europe, but worldwide, up to ten days in advance.
MetOp-SG-A1 is currently in its commissioning phase, having established communication. The satellite program, which will be covered by three identical satellite generations, aims to provide crucial data for the coming years, with a planned lifespan of 24 years.
The METimage camera onboard MetOp-SG-A1 is a state-of-the-art multispectral radiometer designed to improve weather forecasting and climate monitoring globally. Its high spatial resolution allows it to scan Earth’s surface in a strip 2560 km wide every 1.7 seconds, with a resolution of 500 meters per pixel from an altitude of 830 km.
The METimage camera's multispectral capability captures detailed measurements of clouds, water vapor, aerosols, land- and sea-surface temperatures, ice cover, vegetation, and wildfires with high accuracy. Its global coverage from a polar orbit ensures frequent revisit times, providing up to 14 orbits a day, ensuring near-real-time data for any location on Earth.
The advanced data supporting numerical weather models provided by METimage significantly improves initial conditions for weather prediction models, particularly enhancing short-term forecasting ("nowcasting") for the next 2 to 6 hours, which is critical for early warning of extreme weather events.
The benefits and contributions to weather forecasting improvements are significant. MetOp-SG-A1 enhances the prediction of rapidly developing and severe weather phenomena, helping safeguard public safety by providing timely warnings. Its data on atmospheric composition and surface conditions support precision climate observation and inform adaptation strategies at national and municipal levels.
Moreover, METimage enriches data assimilation in numerical weather prediction, enabling advanced forecasting techniques, including AI applications. This international collaboration, developed by Airbus Defence and Space under coordination by the German Space Agency (DLR), funded by the German Federal Ministry of Transport and EUMETSAT, with support from the German Weather Service, exemplifies a concerted effort toward global meteorological advancement.
Sentinel-5, another crucial part of the mission, provides high-resolution data on air pollutants and atmospheric trace gases around the globe on a daily basis. Together, these satellites will revolutionise weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and research for the coming years.
The Ariane 6, developed by Airbus S. A. S., is the new carrier rocket aiming to make Europe more independent from the USA and Russia in space. The launch of the Ariane 6 marks a significant period after the retirement of the Ariane 5 in June 2023, with almost a two-year gap until Ariane 6. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Europe has also lost access to the Russian carrier rocket Soyuz, which was launched from Kourou for ten years.
In summary, the launch of MetOp-SG-A1 and the Ariane-6 rocket heralds a new era in weather forecasting. The high-resolution multispectral imaging and global coverage of METimage enable more accurate, timely, and comprehensive atmospheric data acquisition. This leads to improved weather forecasts worldwide, especially in Europe, enhancing early warnings for extreme events and supporting long-term climate monitoring and research.
Science and technology play a crucial role in the advancement of weather forecasting, as demonstrated by the launch of MetOp-SG-A1 and the Ariane-6 rocket. The satellite's multispectral capabilities in environmental-science, such as the METimage camera, collect detailed data on various characteristics of the Earth's atmosphere, including clouds, water vapor, and air pollutants. Meanwhile, the Arcane 6 rocket, a product of space-and-astronomy technology, aims to make EC countries more self-reliant in space, helping to strengthen their meteorological capabilities.
