The Meteosat Second Generation satellites were developed and built by ESA and are owned and exploited by Eumetsat, fulfilling user requirements for improved weather prediction. MSG-4 will continue the successful series of operational meteorological satellites that started with Meteosat-1 in 1977. The first satellite, MSG-1, with its improved capabilities, was launched in 2002, followed by MSG-2 in December 2005, and MSG-3 in 2012. MSG-4 will be launched on an Ariane 5.