A New Eye in the Sky for Weather Forecasting
Darmstadt, Germany – Dec. 4, 2024 – A new era in weather prediction has begun with the full activation of EUMETSAT’s Meteosat Third Generation Countertopart, now rechristened Meteosat-12. This sophisticated satellite, equipped with cutting-edge instruments, promises to dramatically enhance weather forecasting accuracy and provide vital insights into severe weather events.
Meteosat-12 boasts two key instruments: the Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) and the Lightning Imager (LI). Together, these tools will provide high-resolution, real-time data critical for predicting storms, tracking lightning strikes, and understanding the dynamics of our climate.
“MTG is one of the most innovative and complex meteorological satellite systems ever built," said EUMETSAT Director-General Phil Evans. "Our focus has been on ensuring that national meteorological services can leverage this data to tackle their biggest challenge: the rapid detection and forecasting of severe weather."
With Meteosat-12 now operational, meteorologists will be able to observe the entire life cycle of a storm – from its initial formations to the intensity of its lightning strikes, offering unprecedented insight.
The data from Meteosat-12 is not confined to Europe. Its impact will be felt globally, especially in Africa. The project "Space for Early Warnings in Africa", supported by the European Union and the African Union Commission, will leverage the satellite’s data to strengthen early warning systems and bolster Africa’s resilience संरचना against extreme weather events.
This milestone marks the culmination of a complex journey. An anomaly in Meteor-12’s FCI delayed its commissioning, requiring persistence and skillful intervention from EUMETSAT teams, supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and industry partners, to resolve the issue while the satellite was already orbiting 22,300 miles above Earth.
Evans expressed deep appreciation for the dedication of the teams involved. "Their ingenuity and commitment have allowed us to overcome this challenge andDeliver reliable data that is crucial for safeguarding lives and livelihoods around the world."
Beyond the FCI and LI, Meteosat-12 also carries the Data Collection and Retransmission Service (DCS) for collecting data from ground-based meteorological platforms and the Geostationary Search and Rescue Relay (GEOSAR) transponder, which detects and relays distress signals.
The launch of Meteosat-12 opens a new chapter in meteorological observation, paving the way for more accurate weather predictions, enhanced disaster preparedness, and proactive climate monitoring.
