News

Marc Cohen

Being the Programme Manager for the EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS) means being responsible for the design, development and implementation of the full system. This covers not only the MetOp satellites (the development of which is led by ESA), but also the ground segment, operations preparation, launcher and LEOP services.

In addition, EUMETSAT is responsible for the provision of various instruments on the MetOp-A satellite either directly or via Co-operation Agreements with our partners - the French Space Agency (CNES) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

EUMETSAT will be responsible for the in-orbit monitoring and control of the satellites, as well as the acquisition and processing of the data and distribution of the products to the users. Being EPS Programme Manager has therefore meant being responsible for the design and implementation of the full end-to-end system from user requirements to the distribution of final products to the users, together with the overall schedule and financial responsibility.  
 

	GOME-2 observation principle

The MetOp series of satellites has come together as a result of international contribution. What role have the different space and industrial agencies played in this process?

The development and manufacture of the MetOp satellites has been undertaken by a joint ESA / EUMETSAT team led by ESA, who was also responsible for the ASCAT, GRAS and GOME-2 instruments. The other instruments were provided by EUMETSAT either by direct procurement (MHS) or via Co-operation Agreements with CNES (IASI and A-DCS) and NOAA (AVHRR, HIRS, AMSU-A, SEM, S&R). NOAA used NASA as the procurement agent for the AVHRR, HIRS, AMSU-A and SEM instruments, while the S&R package was provided to NOAA via agreements with the Canadian Department of National Defense and CNES.

What is your involvement over the lifetime of the satellite?

I have been involved with MetOp since the early days of Phase C/D and will remain responsible for the satellites until the in-orbit check-out and commissioning has been completed. For the first MetOp-A satellite, we expect this to take about six months, after which the satellite and the overall system will be handed over to the EUMETSAT Operations Department. After this, I will remain involved for the development of ‘day 2 products’ and to support any anomalies.

What have you enjoyed most about working on the MetOp series of satellites so far?
 
 

MetOp flight controllers in simulation training at ESOC

The wide range of the activities in which I have been involved – ranging from hardware problems on the space segment, through qualification of the launcher to development of the ground segment and discussions with the end-users has been enjoyable. But overall, the most enjoyable part has been the human interactions both with my team and Partners/Industry in a complex and multicultural environment.
 
 
Where will you be for the launch?
 
I will be in Baikonur as the EUMETSAT Launch Director, with direct contact to both ESOC as the LEOP service provider and EUMETSAT in Darmstadt, Germany.