# Meteosat 11

> European weather satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q20732205](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20732205)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/meteosat-11

## Summary
Meteosat 11 is a European weather satellite and part of the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) series, operated by EUMETSAT. Launched in 2015, it provides critical meteorological data from geostationary orbit, supporting weather forecasting and climate monitoring across Europe and Africa.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: July 15, 2015, at 21:42 UTC.
- **Operator**: EUMETSAT (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites).
- **Manufacturer**: Alcatel Space (now Thales Alenia Space).
- **Class**: Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellite.
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Ariane 5 ECA (flight VA224).
- **Preceded By**: Meteosat 10.
- **Succeeded By**: Meteosat 12.
- **Aliases**: MSG 4.
- **COSPAR ID**: 2015-034A.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the purpose of Meteosat 11?
A: Meteosat 11 is a weather satellite designed to monitor Earth's atmosphere, clouds, and surface conditions to improve weather forecasting and climate research over Europe and Africa.

### Q: When was Meteosat 11 launched?
A: It was launched on July 15, 2015, aboard an Ariane 5 ECA rocket from the ELA-3 launch site.

### Q: Who operates Meteosat 11?
A: The satellite is operated by EUMETSAT, an intergovernmental organization responsible for European meteorological satellites.

### Q: What is the difference between Meteosat 11 and earlier models?
A: Meteosat 11 is part of the second-generation Meteosat series (MSG), featuring improved imaging capabilities and data resolution compared to the first-generation satellites.

### Q: What is the significance of the name "MSG 4"?
A: "MSG 4" is an alias for Meteosat 11, indicating it is the fourth satellite in the Meteosat Second Generation series.

## Why It Matters
Meteosat 11 plays a crucial role in global weather monitoring by providing high-resolution imagery and data from geostationary orbit. Its observations help meteorologists track severe weather events, monitor climate patterns, and improve short-term forecasts, directly impacting public safety and economic activities in Europe and Africa. As part of the MSG series, it represents a significant advancement in satellite technology, offering enhanced spatial and temporal resolution compared to earlier generations. The data it collects supports not only operational weather services but also long-term climate studies, making it an indispensable tool for scientists and policymakers.

## Notable For
- **High-Resolution Imaging**: Provides detailed meteorological data with improved spatial and temporal resolution.
- **Geostationary Coverage**: Positioned over Europe and Africa, offering continuous monitoring of weather systems in these regions.
- **Part of MSG Series**: Represents the fourth satellite in the Meteosat Second Generation, a major upgrade from the first-generation satellites.
- **Critical for Forecasting**: Supports real-time weather forecasting and early warning systems for severe weather events.
- **Long-Term Climate Data**: Contributes to climate research by maintaining consistent, long-term observations of Earth's atmosphere.

## Body
### Overview
Meteosat 11 is a geostationary weather satellite operated by EUMETSAT, designed to monitor atmospheric conditions, cloud cover, and surface temperatures. It is part of the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) series, which succeeded the first-generation Meteosat satellites with enhanced capabilities.

### Launch and Deployment
- **Launch Date**: July 15, 2015, at 21:42 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Ariane 5 ECA (flight VA224).
- **Launch Site**: ELA-3, Guiana Space Centre.
- **Space Tug**: ESC-A H14.4.

### Technical Specifications
- **Manufacturer**: Alcatel Space (now Thales Alenia Space).
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit, positioned at 0° longitude.
- **COSPAR ID**: 2015-034A.
- **NSSDCA ID**: 2015-034A.

### Operational Role
Meteosat 11 provides continuous imagery and data for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and environmental research. Its instruments capture high-resolution images of Earth's atmosphere, enabling meteorologists to track storms, monitor cloud formations, and analyze temperature variations.

### Relationship to Other Satellites
- **Predecessor**: Meteosat 10.
- **Successor**: Meteosat 12.
- **Series**: Part of the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) program, which includes Meteosat 8, 9, 10, and 11.

### Data and Applications
The satellite's data is used for:
- Short-term weather forecasting.
- Severe weather warnings.
- Climate change studies.
- Agricultural monitoring.
- Aviation and maritime safety.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Meteosat 11",
  "description": "European weather satellite and part of the Meteosat Second Generation series, operated by EUMETSAT.",
  "url": "https://www.eumetsat.int/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20853500",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteosat"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Satellite"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/msg-1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report