EUMETSAT

EUMETSAT (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites) is an intergovernmental organisation established by convention entered into force 19 June 1986, with 29 member states across Europe. Headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany, it serves as the operational arm of Europe's meteorological and Earth observation satellite infrastructure, with a mandate to establish, maintain, and exploit European systems of operational meteorological satellites. Its data policy is free, full, and open access for registered users.^[1]

The organisation operates two independent satellite systems. The Meteosat programme provides geostationary coverage at 36,000 km altitude: the Second Generation (MSG) constellation supports backup and rapid-scan operations while the Third Generation (MTG) transitions to full service. MTG-I1 (Meteosat-12, launched December 2022) carries the Flexible Combined Imager (FCI, 16 channels) and the Lightning Imager (LI), providing full disc imagery every 10 minutes.^[2] MTG-S1 (launched July 2025) hosts the Infrared Sounder (IRS) and the Copernicus Sentinel-4 UV-Vis-NIR spectrometer for hourly atmospheric monitoring over Europe.^[3] The Metop polar system (EPS) provides morning-orbit coverage at 817 km: Metop-B and Metop-C remain operational, while Metop-SGA1 (launched August 2025) begins the second-generation transition carrying the Copernicus Sentinel-5 UVNS trace gas spectrometer, IASI-NG sounder, and a GNSS radio occultation instrument.^[4]

EUMETSAT is a primary operator in the EU Copernicus programme. It operates the Sentinel-3 constellation jointly with ESA, processing and distributing marine data and near-real-time atmospheric products from the OLCI, SLSTR, SRAL, and MWR instruments.^[5] The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich altimeter (launched November 2020) and Sentinel-6B (launched November 2025) extend the continuous sea level record that began in 1992, continuing the Jason mission series co-operated with CNES, NASA, and NOAA.^[6][7] For the Sentinel-5P mission, ESA operates the satellite while EUMETSAT processes and distributes the TROPOMI Level-2 atmospheric trace gas and ozone data products in near-real time.^[8] Future programmes include EPS-Sterna, a 6-satellite microwave-sounding constellation planned for 2029, and EPS-Aeolus, a Doppler wind lidar follow-on to ADM-Aeolus planned for 2034.^[9][10]