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MetOp will be monitored and controlled via the EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS) Command and Data Acquisition station in Svalbard. Data will be downlinked to Svalbard once per orbit and then transferred to EUMETSAT in Darmstadt, Germany. From here, there is a data exchange with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the USA. After processing, the data is distributed to the users within 2 hours 15 minutes of the observations being made in space. MetOp forms the European contribution to the joint European-American polar satellite system. Through this international partnership, MetOp will provide the morning coverage while the NOAA satellites cover the afternoon orbits. Data is processed by both EUMETSAT and NOAA.

Credits: ESA - AOES Medialab
 
 
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SvalSat Station in Svalbard
The SvalSat Station on the island of Spitsbergen in Svalbard
 
 
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In addition to near real-time data being delivered to meteorological offices all over the world, MetOp will also provide a service to local users. As MetOp passes overhead, with the right tools it is possible to receive data on local terrestrial and atmospheric conditions. The equipment necessary to receive data is very little, which makes it a very useful service for small stations in remote areas throughout the world or even at sea. This service is also very useful for universities and other academic institutes.

Credits: ESA - AOES Medialab
 
  Last update: 29 June 2006 
 
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