# Meteosat 5

> decommissioned European weather satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q18327605](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18327605)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/meteosat-5

## Summary
Meteosat 5 was a decommissioned European weather satellite launched on March 2, 1991, as part of the Meteosat First Generation series. It operated under the European Space Agency (ESA) and later EUMETSAT, providing weather data until its retirement on April 16, 2007. The satellite was launched aboard an Ariane 44LP rocket and was known by the alias MOP 2.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: March 2, 1991, at 23:36:00 UTC
- **Launch Vehicle**: Ariane 44LP (Flight V42)
- **Manufacturer**: Aérospatiale
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit
- **Operators**:
  - European Space Agency (1991–1995)
  - EUMETSAT (1995–2007)
- **Service Entry**: February 5, 1991
- **Service Retirement**: April 16, 2007
- **Predecessor**: Meteosat 4
- **Successor**: Meteosat 6
- **Satellite Identifier**: COSPAR ID 1991-015B, NSSDCA ID 1991-015B
- **Space Tug**: H10 (L414)

## FAQs
### Q: What was Meteosat 5 used for?
A: Meteosat 5 was a weather satellite that provided imagery and data for weather forecasting, operated by the European Space Agency and later EUMETSAT.

### Q: When was Meteosat 5 launched?
A: Meteosat 5 was launched on March 2, 1991, aboard an Ariane 44LP rocket.

### Q: Who operated Meteosat 5?
A: Meteosat 5 was operated by the European Space Agency from 1991 to 1995 and by EUMETSAT from 1995 to 2007.

### Q: What was Meteosat 5's successor?
A: Meteosat 5 was succeeded by Meteosat 6, which also operated in geostationary orbit.

### Q: When was Meteosat 5 decommissioned?
A: Meteosat 5 was decommissioned on April 16, 2007, after over a decade of service.

## Why It Matters
Meteosat 5 was part of the Meteosat First Generation series, which provided critical weather data for Europe and Africa. As a geostationary satellite, it offered continuous imagery and monitoring capabilities, supporting meteorological research and forecasting. Its operation under both the European Space Agency and EUMETSAT highlights the collaborative efforts in European space weather observation. The satellite's retirement marked the end of an era for this generation of weather satellites, paving the way for more advanced systems.

## Notable For
- **First Generation Weather Satellite**: Part of the Meteosat First Generation series, which laid the foundation for European weather monitoring.
- **Geostationary Orbit**: Provided continuous weather imagery and data for Europe and Africa.
- **Operational Longevity**: Served from 1991 to 2007, contributing to long-term weather observation records.
- **Collaborative Operation**: Operated by both the European Space Agency and EUMETSAT, reflecting international cooperation in space weather services.
- **Precursor to Advanced Systems**: Its retirement marked the transition to more advanced weather satellite technology.

## Body
### Overview
Meteosat 5 was a decommissioned European weather satellite launched on March 2, 1991, as part of the Meteosat First Generation series. It was manufactured by Aérospatiale and launched aboard an Ariane 44LP rocket from ELA-2. The satellite was known by the alias MOP 2 and operated in a geostationary orbit, providing critical weather data for Europe and Africa.

### Operational History
Meteosat 5 was operated by the European Space Agency from 1991 to 1995 and later by EUMETSAT from 1995 to 2007. It entered service on February 5, 1991, and was decommissioned on April 16, 2007, after over a decade of service. The satellite was preceded by Meteosat 4 and succeeded by Meteosat 6.

### Technical Specifications
- **COSPAR ID**: 1991-015B
- **NSSDCA ID**: 1991-015B
- **Space Tug**: H10 (L414)
- **Launch Vehicle**: Ariane 44LP (Flight V42)

### Significance
Meteosat 5 played a crucial role in European weather monitoring, providing imagery and data for meteorological research and forecasting. Its operation under both the European Space Agency and EUMETSAT underscores the collaborative efforts in space weather services. The satellite's retirement marked the end of an era for the Meteosat First Generation series, contributing to long-term weather observation records.

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Meteosat 5",
  "description": "Decommissioned European weather satellite launched in 1991 as part of the Meteosat First Generation series.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteosat_5"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Satellite"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/meteosat-1.htm)
2. [Source](https://www.eumetsat.int/meteosat-first-generation-retired)
3. Jonathan's Space Report