ESA - Meteosat Second Generation - Keeping an eye on the weather

About MSG

MSG Overview MSG-2 Facts and Figures Why we need MSG How MSG-2 works

Spacecraft details

Stabilisation Architecture Communications SEVIRI GERB Search & Rescue

Building and flying MSG

Meet the team MSG Contractors Designed for space Reaching orbit Launch and early operations update

The future

Next steps Beyond MSG and MetOp

Multimedia

Image Gallery Video Gallery Wallpapers Screensavers

Services

Article Images

Keeping an eye on the weather – 30 years of Meteosat

22 November 2007

Back to article

Summary of the launch of the ESA built Meteosat Second Generation Satellite which was launched on board of an Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou, French Guyana on 28 August 2002.

Credits: ESA

Forecasting before satellites

Back to article

Download:

HI-RES JPG (Size: 79 kb)

1954: The first live BBC Television forecast, lasting five minutes, was made by Met Office forecaster George Cowling.

Credits: Met Office, UK

How it works

Back to article

Download:

HI-RES JPG (Size: 392 kb)

Meteosat-8 tracks the progress of hurricane Isabel.

Credits: EUMETSAT

Back to article

Download:

HI RES JPG (Size: 1660 kb)

Civil aviation is highly dependent on accurate and reliable weather information. Satellites provide the perfect overview for every long distance flight. Pilots heading to or leaving Europe and Africa are able to consult the latest Meteosat image for the actual weather situation 'en route'. Meteosat weather satellites currently deliver one image every half an hour, and the new MSG satellites will improve the rate to one every 15 minutes. Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) provides the aviation business with more detailed information about ice clouds, storm cells and improve the forecasting of extreme weather around airports. According to Bramhill Consulting (UK), the satellite-based weather observation is estimated to contribute to 120 Million Euro savings per year for safety, transportation and agriculture in Europe. The field of satellite meteorology is about to enter a new era with the launch of MetOp-A, the first in a series of three new polar-orbiting MetOp (Meteorological Operational) satellites.

Credits: Airbus Industries

30th anniversary

A brief history of Meteosat The fabulous Meteosat story (ARES)EUMETSAT Meteosat 30th anniversary 30 years of Meteosat in pictures

Meteorological missions Developing Europe's weather satellites ESOC 50 years of space 30 years of ESA in pictures

More information

EUMETSAT UK Meteorology Office