PLANNING OF METEOSAT THIRD GENERATION

Abstract

Meteosat satellite measurements play a vital role in meteorological applications. From the launch of the first Meteosat satellite in 1977, to the introduction of the second Meteosat generation in 2002, there have already been improvements. The third generation of these satellites is anticipated in 2017 and it will not only enable more frequent measurements with improved spatial resolution in several areas, but also introduce additional measurements for lightning, the monitoring of pollution and raise the possibility of a detailed vertical sounding of the atmosphere which was hitherto impossible. All these additional measurements will create a new data “boom” and allow for the better monitoring of the atmosphere in applications vital to meteorological and environmental sciences.