EO·Atlas
MetOp-B
Compiled from public sources on 2026-06-11. Not independently verified by EUMETSAT.
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MetOp-B is the second EUMETSAT polar-orbiting meteorological satellite. Launched September 2012, became primary NWP platform April 2013. Sun-synchronous orbit at 830 km, LTAN 09:00 descending. Carries AMSU-A, MHS, IASI, ASCAT, AVHRR/3, GOME-2, GRAS, SEM-2; HIRS/4 deactivated January 2025; AMSU-A and AVHRR/3 degraded but operational. Expected operational through 2030.
MetOp-B is the second satellite of the EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS), a joint ESA-EUMETSAT operational meteorological programme. Launched 17 September 2012 from Baikonur on a Soyuz rocket, it operates in a sun-synchronous orbit at 830 km altitude with a 09:00 descending local solar time (LTAN). It assumed the role of primary NWP platform from MetOp-A in April 2013.[1][2]
The instrument suite carries AMSU-A, MHS, IASI, ASCAT, AVHRR/3, GOME-2, GRAS, HIRS/4, SEM-2, an Argos-3 data collection system (degraded), and a Search and Rescue transponder (degraded). HIRS/4 was deactivated in January 2025. AMSU-A and AVHRR/3 are reported as degraded but remain in operation.[1][2]
According to EUMETSAT operational documentation, MetOp-B currently serves as the backup operational platform, with MetOp-C reported as having assumed the primary NWP role; the precise handover date from MetOp-B to MetOp-C was not confirmed in the sources available at time of research.[2] Expected operational lifetime extends through approximately 2030, subject to consumable margins.[2]
Compositional position
- [1]WMO OSCAR - MetOp-B satellite recordagency doc2026-06-11
- [2]EUMETSAT MetOp satellite seriesoperator engineering2026-06-11
- [3]MetOp programme, eoPortalcommunity2026-06-11