EUMETSAT

Last updated

European Organisation
for the Exploitation of
Meteorological Satellites
Formation1986
Headquarters Darmstadt, Germany
Coordinates 49°51′54″N8°37′37″E / 49.86500°N 8.62694°E / 49.86500; 8.62694
Membership
30 member states
Official language
English, German and French
Website www.eumetsat.int

The European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) is an intergovernmental organisation created through an international convention agreed by a current total of 30 European Member States.

Contents

EUMETSAT's primary objective is to establish, maintain and exploit European systems of operational meteorological satellites. EUMETSAT is responsible for the launch and operation of the satellites and for delivering satellite data to end-users as well as contributing to the operational monitoring of climate and the detection of global climate changes.

The activities of EUMETSAT contribute to a global meteorological satellite observing system coordinated with other space-faring states.

Satellite observations are an essential input to numerical weather prediction systems and also assist the human forecaster in the diagnosis of potentially hazardous weather developments. Of growing importance is the capacity of weather satellites to gather long-term measurements from space in support of climate change studies.

EUMETSAT is not an institution or agency of the European Union, although the majority of its members are EU member states. The organisation became a signatory to the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters in 2012, thus providing for the global charitable use of its space assets. [1]

Member and cooperating states

The national mandatory contributions of member states are proportional to their gross national income. However, the cooperating countries contribute only half of the fee they would pay for full membership. The convention establishing EUMETSAT was opened for signature in 1983 and entered into force on 19 June 1986.

StateStatusSince (signing of convention)Funding
contribution 2013
Representative organization from national meteorological services
(official national names, links point to names for official use in English)
Official website
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Member1986, March19.20% Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) www.dwd.de
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Member1985, May15.62% Met Office www.metoffice.gov.uk
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of France.svg  France Member1985, February14.70% Météo-France meteofrance.com
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Member1986, June12.04% Ufficio Generale Spazio Aereo e Meteorologia (USAM) – Reparto Meteorologia www.meteoam.it
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Member1985, February7.56% Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) www.aemet.es
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands Member1984, March4.38% Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut (KNMI) www.knmi.nl
EFTA logo2.svg Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland Member1985, July2.75% MeteoSchweiz / MétéoSuisse / MeteoSvizzera www.meteoschweiz.admin.ch
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium Member1985, October2.57% Institut Royal Météorologique de Belgique (IRM) / Koninklijk Meteorologisch Instituut van België (KMI) www.meteo.be
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden Member1984, January2.53% Sveriges meteorologiska och hydrologiska institut (SMHI) www.smhi.se
Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey Member1984, August2.27% Remote Sensing Division, Devlet Meteoroloji İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü (DMİGM) mgm.gov.tr
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Austria.svg  Austria Member1993, December2.05% Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik (ZAMG) www.zamg.ac.at
EFTA logo2.svg Flag of Norway.svg  Norway Member1985, April2.03% Meteorologisk institutt (met.no) www.met.no
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Poland.svg  Poland Member2009, June1.95% Instytut Meteorologii i Gospodarki Wodnej (IMGW) imgw.pl
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark Member1984, January1.78% Danmarks Meteorologiske Institut (DMI) www.dmi.dk
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Greece.svg  Greece Member1988, June1.65% Εθνική Μετεωρολογική Υπηρεσία (HNMS) www.emy.gr
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Finland.svg  Finland Member1984, December1.35% Ilmatieteen laitos / Meteorologiska institutet (FMI) www.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal Member1989, May1.23% Instituto de Meteorologia (IM) www.ipma.pt
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland Member1985, June1.17% Met Éireann www.met.ie
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic Member2010, May0.80% Český hydrometeorologický ústav (CHMI), Družicové Oddělení www.chmi.cz
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary Member2008, October0.69% Országos Meteorológiai Szolgálat (OMSZ) www.met.hu
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Romania.svg  Romania Member2010, November0.57% National Meteorological Administration of Romania www.meteoromania.ro
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia Member2006, January0.32% Slovenský hydrometeorologický ústav (SHMU) www.shmu.sk
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia Member2006, December0.25% Državni hidrometeorološki zavod (DHMZ) meteo.hr
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia Member2008, February0.23% Agencija Republike Slovenije za Okolje (ARSO) www.arso.gov.si
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg Member2002, July0.21% Administration de la navigation aérienne www.meteolux.lu
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia Member2009, May0.10% Latvijas Vides, ģeoloģijas un meteoroloģijas aģentūra (LVGMA) videscentrs.lvgmc.lv
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania Member2014, January0.16% Lietuvos hidrometeorologijos tarnyba (LHMT), prie Aplinkos ministerijos www.meteo.lt
EFTA logo2.svg Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland Member2014, January0.10% Veðurstofa Íslands vedur.is
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia Member2013, June0.09% Estonian Weather Service www.ilmateenistus.ee
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria Member2014, April0.18% Национален институт по метеорология и хидрология (INMH) meteo.bg
Last update published 2014

Satellite programmes

Model of a first generation Meteosat geostationary satellite. EUMETSAT site, Darmstadt, Germany, 2006. EUMETSAT Meteosat model.jpg
Model of a first generation Meteosat geostationary satellite. EUMETSAT site, Darmstadt, Germany, 2006.
Model of a second generation Meteosat geostationary satellite. EUMETSAT site, Darmstadt, Germany, 2006. EUMETSAT MSG model.jpg
Model of a second generation Meteosat geostationary satellite. EUMETSAT site, Darmstadt, Germany, 2006.
Model of a MetOp polar satellite (MetOp refers to the Meteorological Operational Satellite Program of Europe, bottom up). EUMETSAT site, Darmstadt, Germany, 2006. EUMETSAT METOP model.jpg
Model of a MetOp polar satellite (MetOp refers to the Meteorological Operational Satellite Program of Europe, bottom up). EUMETSAT site, Darmstadt, Germany, 2006.

There are two types of programmes:

High-level, stationary in space (Geostationary satellites)

The current provision of geostationary satellite surveillance is enabled by the Meteosat series of satellites operated by EUMETSAT, generating images of the full Earth disc and data for forecasting.

The first generation of Meteosat, launched in 1977, provided continuous, reliable observations to a large user group. In response to demand for more frequent and comprehensive data, Meteostat Second Generation (MSG) was developed with key improvements in swift recognition and prediction of thunderstorms, fog, and the small depressions which can lead to dangerous wind storms. MSG was launched in 2004. To capture foreseeable user needs up to 2025, a Meteostat Third Generation (MTG) is in active preparation.

Low-level orbiting (Polar satellites)

EUMETSAT Polar System

The lack of observational coverage in certain parts of the globe, particularly the Pacific Ocean and continents of the southern hemisphere, has led to the increasingly important role for polar-orbiting satellite data in numerical weather prediction and climate monitoring.

EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS) Metop mission consists of three polar orbiting Metop satellites, to be flown successively for more than 14 years. The first, Metop-A, was launched by a Russian Soyuz-2.1a rocket from Baikonur on October 19, 2006, at 22:28 Baikonur time (16:28 UTC). Metop-A was initially controlled by ESOC for the LEOP phase immediately following launch, with control handed over to EUMETSAT 72 hours after lift-off. EUMETSAT's first commands to the satellite were sent at 14:04 UTC on October 22, 2006.

The second EPS satellite, Metop-B, was launched from Baikonur on 17 September 2012, [2] and the third, Metop-C, was launched from Centre Spatial Guyanais in Kourou, French Guiana on 7 November 2018 by Arianespace using a Soyuz ST-B launch vehicle with a Fregat-M upper stage. [3]

Positioned at approximately 817 km (508 mi) above the Earth, special instruments on board Metop-A can deliver far more precise details about atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles than a geostationary satellite.

The satellites also ensure that the more remote regions of the globe, particularly in Northern Europe as well as the oceans in the Southern hemisphere, are fully covered.

The EPS programme is also the European half of a joint program with NOAA, called the International Joint Polar System (IJPS). NOAA has operated a continuous series of low earth orbiting meteorological satellite since April 1960. Many of the instruments on Metop are also operated on NOAA/POES satellites, providing similar data types across the IJPS.

Instruments on Metop

Jason / Sentinel-6

Jason-2

The Jason-2 programme is an international partnership across multiple organisations, including EUMETSAT, CNES, and the US agencies NASA and NOAA. Jason-2 was launched successfully from Vandenberg Air Force Base aboard a Delta-II rocket on 20 June 2008, 7:46 UTC. EUMETSAT – What We Do – Jason-2 – Launch Description

Jason-2 reliably delivers detailed oceanographic data vital to our understanding of weather forecasting and climate change monitoring. Jason-2 provides data on the decadal (10-yearly) oscillations in large ocean basins, such as the Atlantic Ocean; mesoscale variability, and surface wind and wave conditions. Jason-2 measurements contribute to the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) satellite data assimilation, helping improve global atmosphere and ocean forecasting.

Altimetric data from Jason-2 have also helped create detailed decade-long global observations and analyses of the El Niño and La Niña phenomena, opening the way to new discoveries about ocean circulation and its effects on climate, and providing new insights into ocean tides, turbulent ocean eddies and marine gravity.

Jason-3

Jason-3 was Launched on 17 January 2016, Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 launcher. It is operational since 14 October 2016. Jason-3 is on a non-Sun-synchronous low Earth orbit at 66° inclination and 1336 km altitude, optimised to eliminate tidal aliasing from sea surface height and mean sea level measurements. Jason-2, flies on the same orbit but at 162°. It is built on the same cooperation as Jason-2, involving EUMETSAT, NOAA, CNES and NASA, with Copernicus expected to support the European contribution to operations, as part of its HPOA activity, which also covers contributions to the Jason-CS programme. [4]

Sentinel-6/Jason-CS

The Jason satellites were succeeded by the Sentinel-6 for the radar altimeter mission, part of the European Union's Copernicus Programme for Earth observation, with the objective of providing an operational service for high-precision measurements of global sea-level. This mission is implemented as a multi-partner cooperation between the European Commission and EUMETSAT, ESA, NOAA and NASA, with support from the French space agency, CNES.

The mission, implemented through the two Sentinel-6/Jason-CS satellites (Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich and Sentinel-6B), aims to continue high precision ocean altimetry measurements in the 2020–2030 time-frame. A secondary objective is to collect high resolution vertical profiles of temperature, using the GNSS Radio-Occultation sounding technique, to assess temperature changes in the troposphere and stratosphere and to support Numerical Weather Prediction. [5]

The launch of the first satellite – Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich – occurred successfully on 21 November 2020 from Vandenberg AFB in California, USA on a SpaceX Falcon-9 launch vehicle. The satellite was named in honour of Michael Freilich (oceanographer), an oceanographer and former director of NASA's Earth Science Division. Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich succeeded Jason-3 as the reference mission for satellite ocean altimetry in April 2022.

The launch of Sentinel-6B is foreseen for late-2025, also on a SpaceX Falcon-9.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weather satellite</span> Type of satellite designed to record the state of the Earths atmosphere

A weather satellite or meteorological satellite is a type of Earth observation satellite that is primarily used to monitor the weather and climate of the Earth. Satellites can be polar orbiting, or geostationary.

The Earth Observing System (EOS) is a program of NASA comprising a series of artificial satellite missions and scientific instruments in Earth orbit designed for long-term global observations of the land surface, biosphere, atmosphere, and oceans. Since the early 1970s, NASA has been developing its Earth Observing System, launching a series of Landsat satellites in the decade. Some of the first included passive microwave imaging in 1972 through the Nimbus 5 satellite. Following the launch of various satellite missions, the conception of the program began in the late 1980s and expanded rapidly through the 1990s. Since the inception of the program, it has continued to develop, including; land, sea, radiation and atmosphere. Collected in a system known as EOSDIS, NASA uses this data in order to study the progression and changes in the biosphere of Earth. The main focus of this data collection surrounds climatic science. The program is the centrepiece of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason-1</span> Satellite oceanography mission

Jason-1 was a satellite altimeter oceanography mission. It sought to monitor global ocean circulation, study the ties between the ocean and the atmosphere, improve global climate forecasts and predictions, and monitor events such as El Niño and ocean eddies. Jason-1 was launched in 2001 and it was followed by OSTM/Jason-2 in 2008, and Jason-3 in 2016 – the Jason satellite series. Jason-1 was launched alongside the TIMED spacecraft.

EUMETCast is a method of disseminating various meteorological data operated by the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). The main purpose is the dissemination of EUMETSAT's own data, but various data from other providers are broadcast as well. EUMETCast is a contribution to GEONETCast and IGDDS and provides data for GEOSS and GMES.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argos (satellite system)</span> System for collecting electronic environmental data

Argos is a global satellite-based system that collects, processes, and disseminates environmental data from fixed and mobile platforms around the world. The worldwide tracking and environmental monitoring system is the results from Franco-American cooperation. In addition to satellite data collection, the main feature of the Argos system is its to ability to geographically locate the data source from any location on Earth using the Doppler effect; which refers to the apparent change in the wavelength due to relative motion between its source and observer. Argos is operated by CLS/Argos, based in Toulouse, France, and its United States subsidiary, CLS America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TOPEX/Poseidon</span> Satellite mission to map ocean surface topography

TOPEX/Poseidon was a joint satellite altimeter mission between NASA, the U.S. space agency; and CNES, the French space agency, to map ocean surface topography. Launched on August 10, 1992, it was the first major oceanographic research satellite. TOPEX/Poseidon helped revolutionize oceanography by providing data previously impossible to obtain. Oceanographer Walter Munk described TOPEX/Poseidon as "the most successful ocean experiment of all time." A malfunction ended normal satellite operations in January 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NOAA-19</span> Weather satellite

NOAA-19, known as NOAA-N' before launch, is the last of the American National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) series of weather satellites. NOAA-19 was launched on 6 February 2009. NOAA-19 is in an afternoon Sun-synchronous orbit and is intended to replace NOAA-18 as the prime afternoon spacecraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Copernicus Programme</span> Programme of the European Commission

Copernicus is the Earth observation component of the European Union Space Programme, managed by the European Commission and implemented in partnership with the EU Member States, the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the European Environment Agency (EEA), the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), Frontex, SatCen and Mercator Océan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MetOp</span> Series of European meteorological satellites

Metop is a series of three polar-orbiting meteorological satellites developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and operated by the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). The satellites form the space segment component of the overall EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS), which in turn is the European half of the EUMETSAT / NOAA Initial Joint Polar System (IJPS). The satellites carry a payload comprising 11 scientific instruments and two which support Cospas-Sarsat Search and Rescue services. In order to provide data continuity between Metop and NOAA Polar Operational Environmental Satellites (POES), several instruments are carried on both fleets of satellites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">OSTM/Jason-2</span> International Earth observation satellite mission

OSTM/Jason-2, or Ocean Surface Topography Mission/Jason-2 satellite, was an international Earth observation satellite altimeter joint mission for sea surface height measurements between NASA and CNES. It was the third satellite in a series started in 1992 by the NASA/CNES TOPEX/Poseidon mission and continued by the NASA/CNES Jason-1 mission launched in 2001.

The Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite (POES) is a constellation of polar orbiting weather satellites funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) with the intent of improving the accuracy and detail of weather analysis and forecasting. The spacecraft were provided by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center oversaw the manufacture, integration and test of the NASA-provided TIROS satellites. The first polar-orbiting weather satellite launched as part of the POES constellation was the Television Infrared Observation Satellite-N (TIROS-N), which was launched on 13 October 1978. The final spacecraft, NOAA-19, was launched on 6 February 2009. The ESA-provided MetOp satellite operated by EUMETSAT utilize POES-heritage instruments for the purpose of data continuity. The Joint Polar Satellite System, which was launched on 18 November 2017, is the successor to the POES Program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sentinel-3</span> Earth observation satellite series

Sentinel-3 is an Earth observation heavy satellite series developed by the European Space Agency as part of the Copernicus Programme. As of 2024, it consists of 2 satellites: Sentinel-3A and Sentinel-3B. After initial commissioning, each satellite was handed over to EUMETSAT for the routine operations phase of the mission. Two recurrent satellites, Sentinel-3C and Sentinel-3D, will follow in approximately 2025 and 2028 respectively to ensure continuity of the Sentinel-3 mission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ocean surface topography</span> Shape of the ocean surface relative to the geoid

Ocean surface topography or sea surface topography, also called ocean dynamic topography, are highs and lows on the ocean surface, similar to the hills and valleys of Earth's land surface depicted on a topographic map. These variations are expressed in terms of average sea surface height (SSH) relative to Earth's geoid. The main purpose of measuring ocean surface topography is to understand the large-scale ocean circulation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason-3</span> International Earth observation satellite mission

Jason-3 is a satellite altimeter created by a partnership of the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) and National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA), and is an international cooperative mission in which National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is partnering with the Centre National d'Études Spatiales. The satellite's mission is to supply data for scientific, commercial, and practical applications to sea level rise, sea surface temperature, ocean temperature circulation, and climate change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SARAL</span> Indian Earth observation satellite

SARAL is a cooperative altimetry technology mission of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES). SARAL performs altimetric measurements designed to study ocean circulation and sea surface elevation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joint Polar Satellite System</span> Constellation of American meteorology satellites

The Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) is the latest generation of U.S. polar-orbiting, non-geosynchronous, environmental satellites. JPSS will provide the global environmental data used in numerical weather prediction models for forecasts, and scientific data used for climate monitoring. JPSS will aid in fulfilling the mission of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an agency of the Department of Commerce. Data and imagery obtained from the JPSS will increase timeliness and accuracy of public warnings and forecasts of climate and weather events, thus reducing the potential loss of human life and property and advancing the national economy. The JPSS is developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), who is responsible for operation of JPSS. Three to five satellites are planned for the JPSS constellation of satellites. JPSS satellites will be flown, and the scientific data from JPSS will be processed, by the JPSS – Common Ground System (JPSS-CGS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sentinel-4</span> Earth observation satellite

Sentinel-4 is a European Earth observation mission under development to support the European Union Copernicus Programme. It will focus on monitoring of trace gas concentrations and aerosols in the atmosphere to support operational services covering air-quality near-real time applications, air-quality protocol monitoring, and climate protocol monitoring. The specific objective of Sentinel-4 is to support this with a high revisit time over Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NOAA-21</span> NASA/NOAA satellite

NOAA-21, designated JPSS-2 prior to launch, is the second of the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s latest generation of U.S. polar-orbiting, non-geosynchronous, environmental satellites called the Joint Polar Satellite System. NOAA-21 was launched on 10 November 2022 and join NOAA-20 and Suomi NPP in the same orbit. Circling the Earth from pole-to-pole, it will cross the equator about 14 times daily, providing full global coverage twice a day. It was launched with LOFTID.

The AN/UMQ-13(V) system or MARK IVB, is a meteorological data station that is owned and operated by the United States Air Force. This system allows meteorologists from around the globe to analyze and forecast meteorological data from polar orbiting satellites belonging to, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP). The MARK IVB also uses geostationary orbiting satellites to include Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES), Japan's Geostationary Meteorological Satellite (GMS), and Meteosat which is operated in cooperation between EUMETSAT and the European Space Agency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich</span> Earth observation satellite

The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich (S6MF) or Sentinel-6A is a radar altimeter satellite developed in partnership between several European and American organizations. It is part of the Jason satellite series and is named after Michael Freilich. S6MF includes synthetic-aperture radar altimetry techniques to improve ocean topography measurements, in addition to rivers and lakes. The spacecraft entered service in mid 2021 and is expected to operate for 5.5 years.

References

  1. "The International Charter : Space & Major Disasters" (PDF). Disasterscharter.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  2. "At 18:28 CEST (22:28 Baikonur time), Metop-B was successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a Soyuz 2.1a rocket". EUMETSAT. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  3. "Metop is a series of three polar orbiting meteorological satellites which form the space segment component of the overall EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS)". EUMETSAT. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  4. "Jason-3 altimeter data is part of the Copernicus programme and is used by the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS)". www.eumetsat.int. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020.
  5. "SENTINEL-6". www.eumetsat.int. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020.