# Meteosat 13 > planned European weather satellite **Wikidata**: [Q25449206](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25449206) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/meteosat-13 ## Summary Meteosat 13 is a planned European weather satellite that will be the first “Sounder” spacecraft of the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG‑S) series. It is scheduled for launch on 1 July 2025 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 from Kennedy Space Center LC‑39A and will operate in geostationary orbit under the management of EUMETSAT. ## Key Facts - **Launch date:** 1 July 2025 (Falcon 9 Block 5, booster B1085)【https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2948】 - **Operator:** EUMETSAT (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites)【https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mtg-s.htm】 - **Mission class:** Meteosat Third Generation – Sounder (MTG‑S 1)【https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mtg-s.htm】 - **COSPAR ID:** 2025‑143A【https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mtg-s.htm】 - **Spacecraft bus:** SmallGEO, built by OHB System AG (bus) and Thales Alenia Space (general contractor)【https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mtg-s.htm】 - **Power system:** Two solar arrays provide electricity to the satellite【https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mtg-s.htm】 - **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit, providing continuous coverage of Europe and surrounding regions【https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mtg-s.htm】 - **Scientific payload:** InfraRed Sounder, Sentinel‑4 instrument, and a Next Generation Radiation Monitor【https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mtg-s.htm】 - **Launch site:** Kennedy Space Center, Launch Complex 39A【https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2948】 - **Aliases:** Meteosat Third Generation‑Sounder 1, MTG‑S 1, Sentinel 4A, MTG‑S1【source】 ## FAQs ### Q: When is Meteosat 13 scheduled to launch? **A:** Meteosat 13 is planned to launch on 1 July 2025 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. ### Q: Who will operate Meteosat 13? **A:** The satellite will be operated by EUMETSAT, the European agency responsible for meteorological satellite services. ### Q: What scientific instruments will Meteosat 13 carry? **A:** It will host an InfraRed Sounder, the Sentinel‑4 atmospheric composition monitor, and a Next Generation Radiation Monitor for space‑weather observations. ### Q: In which orbit will Meteosat 13 reside? **A:** Meteosat 13 will be placed in a geostationary orbit, enabling continuous observation of Europe and adjacent regions. ### Q: Which companies built Meteosat 13? **A:** Thales Alenia Space serves as the general contractor, while OHB System AG supplied the SmallGEO spacecraft bus. ## Why It Matters Meteosat 13 represents a critical upgrade to Europe’s meteorological satellite fleet, delivering high‑resolution infrared sounding capabilities that improve weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and air‑quality assessment across the continent. By carrying the Sentinel‑4 instrument, the satellite will provide near‑real‑time measurements of atmospheric trace gases such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide, supporting both operational weather services and scientific research. Its placement in geostationary orbit ensures uninterrupted data flow, which is essential for rapid warning systems and daily weather products. Moreover, the use of a modern SmallGEO bus and a dual‑solar‑array power system demonstrates a cost‑effective, scalable approach to satellite design, potentially influencing future European and global remote‑sensing missions. In short, Meteosat 13 will enhance the accuracy of forecasts, aid in environmental policy decisions, and strengthen Europe’s autonomous space‑based observation capabilities. ## Notable For - First MTG‑S (Sounder) satellite to be launched, marking the start of the third‑generation Meteosat series. - Carries the Sentinel‑4 atmospheric composition monitor, a unique instrument for continuous European air‑quality surveillance. - Utilises the SmallGEO bus, a compact, high‑performance platform developed by OHB System AG. - Powered by two solar arrays, providing a reliable energy source for long‑duration geostationary operations. - Launched on a Falcon 9 Block 5 booster (flight B1085), showcasing international launch‑service collaboration. ## Body ### Overview Meteosat 13, also known as MTG‑S 1, is the inaugural “Sounder” satellite of the Meteosat Third Generation programme. It is designed to deliver advanced infrared sounding data, complementing the existing MTG‑I (Imager) fleet and enhancing Europe’s meteorological and climate observation capabilities. ### Mission Profile - **Operator:** EUMETSAT - **Mission type:** Weather and atmospheric composition monitoring - **Orbit:** Geostationary, fixed over Europe for continuous coverage - **Lifetime:** Planned multi‑year operational phase (exact duration not yet disclosed) ### Launch Details - **Date:** 1 July 2025 - **Vehicle:** SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5, booster B1085 - **Site:** Kennedy Space Center, Launch Complex 39A - **Launch contractor:** SpaceX ### Spacecraft Design - **Bus:** SmallGEO (provided by OHB System AG) – a compact, modular platform optimized for GEO missions. - **Manufacturer:** Thales Alenia Space (overall contractor) and OHB System AG (bus). - **Power:** Two solar arrays generate the required electrical power for payload and bus operations. - **Mass & dimensions:** Not specified in the source material. ### Scientific Payload | Instrument | Purpose | |------------|---------| | **InfraRed Sounder** | Provides vertical temperature and humidity profiles for weather forecasting. | | **Sentinel‑4** | Monitors atmospheric trace gases (e.g., ozone, NO₂, SO₂) for air‑quality and climate studies. | | **Next Generation Radiation Monitor** | Measures space‑weather radiation levels to protect satellite health and support scientific research. | All instruments are integrated to deliver synergistic data streams that improve numerical weather prediction models and support environmental monitoring initiatives. ### Operator & Partnerships EUMETSAT coordinates the satellite’s mission planning, data processing, and distribution to national meteorological services across Europe. The collaboration with Thales Alenia Space, OHB System AG, and SpaceX reflects a multi‑national effort to maintain Europe’s autonomous space‑based observation capability. ### Orbit & Coverage Positioned in a geostationary slot, Meteosat 13 will maintain a constant view of the European continent, the Atlantic, and parts of Africa and the Middle East. This persistent line‑of‑sight enables rapid data delivery for operational forecasting and near‑real‑time atmospheric composition monitoring. --- *All information above is derived from the provided source material and references.* ## References 1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mtg-s.htm) 2. [Source](https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2948) 3. [Source](https://space.oscar.wmo.int/satelliteprogrammes/view/meteosat_3rd_generation)