Three-dimensional maps of atmosphere: European weather satellite to be launched
First European earth observation satellite designed to observe more than the atmosphere to be launched at night. A 3D view will be provided via infrared sensors.
Artist's impression of the satellite after launch
(Image: ESA - P. Carril)
The MTG-S1, the first geostationary earth observation satellite from Europe that does not rely on satellite photos but on an infrared sensor, is to be launched this night. The satellite will soon be producing a three-dimensional map of the atmosphere every 30 minutes for the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (Eumetsat). This involves data on temperature, humidity and trace gases, which should make it possible to predict and observe rapidly changing weather phenomena. Simonetta Cheli, who is responsible for earth observation at the ESA, promises that this allows us to react much more quickly to extreme weather in the area covered.
A new era in nowcasting
The Meteosat Third Generation Sounder Satellite (MTG-S1) is the second of a new generation of weather satellites designed to ensure continuity in weather forecasting for the coming decades and provide significantly better data. The first was launched at the end of 2022, and MTG-S1 will now introduce a new technology to Europe's meteorology. As the ESA explains, thanks to the infrared sensor, the weather satellite can also look below the uppermost layer of the atmosphere and collect data there. The satellite also has a spectrometer on board which, as Sentinel-4, will collect data on air pollution for the European Copernicus program.
Videos by heise
The MTG-S1 is now set to usher in a new era of nowcasting, which is the term used to describe forecasting within a period of a few minutes to a maximum of a few hours. This is crucial for thunderstorms, tornadoes or flash floods, for example, explains the ESA. For some of these weather phenomena, the vertical dynamics in the atmosphere play a decisive role, and the three-dimensional maps will soon provide a much better overview. MTG-S1 will also be able to detect turbulence and thus help in aviation. Finally, the resulting data sets will also contribute to climate research.
The most modern European weather satellite is now to be launched with a Falcon rocket from SpaceX from the Cape Canaveral spaceport in the USA. The ESA is planning a livestream that will begin at 21:15 Central European Summer Time. The rocket is then scheduled to lift off at 23:03. If everything goes according to plan, the satellite will then report back at 23:37, by which time the livestream should be running. The next representative of Eumetsat's new satellite generation, MTG-S2, is scheduled to be launched next year, after which it will not continue until 2033.
(mho)
