# Meteosat 8

> decommissioned European weather satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q6823492](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6823492)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteosat_8)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/meteosat-8

## Summary
Meteosat 8 is a decommissioned European weather satellite, part of the Meteosat Second Generation series, operated by EUMETSAT. It was launched in 2002 and provided meteorological data for two decades before retirement in 2022.

## Key Facts
- **Operator**: EUMETSAT (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites)  
- **Launch Date**: August 28, 2002 at 22:45:00 UTC from ELA-3  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Ariane 5G (mission variant V155)  
- **Decommission Date**: July 1, 2022  
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2002-040B  
- **Manufacturer**: Alcatel Space  
- **Series Position**: Preceded by Meteosat 7; succeeded by Meteosat 9  
- **Designation**: Also known as MSG 1  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was Meteosat 8 used for?  
A: It served as a meteorological satellite, providing continuous weather and climate monitoring data for Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic Ocean.  

### Q: How long did Meteosat 8 operate?  
A: It operated from August 2002 until July 2022, spanning 20 years of service.  

### Q: Who built Meteosat 8?  
A: The satellite was manufactured by Alcatel Space, a French aerospace company.  

### Q: What replaced Meteosat 8?  
A: Meteosat 9 (MSG-2) succeeded it in the Meteosat Second Generation series.  

## Why It Matters  
Meteosat 8 enabled significant advancements in weather forecasting and climate science through its high-resolution imaging and infrared sensors. As the first satellite in the Meteosat Second Generation series, it set standards for real-time atmospheric monitoring, improving storm tracking and climate change observation. Its 20-year operational life provided continuity in meteorological data, supporting disaster preparedness and agricultural planning across Europe and Africa. Its retirement marked the transition to newer generation satellites while cementing Europe's role in global Earth observation.  

## Notable For  
- **Pioneer Status**: First satellite in the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) series, nicknamed "MSG 1".  
- **Longevity**: Operated for two decades (2002–2022), outliving many contemporary satellites.  
- **Launch Precision**: Successfully deployed by the Ariane 5G rocket from Guiana Space Centre's ELA-3 complex.  
- **Orbit Residency**: Maintained a fixed position in geostationary orbit for uninterrupted coverage.  

## Body  
### Overview  
Meteosat 8, cataloged as space object 2002-040B (COSPAR/NSSDCA ID), was a European weather satellite developed for EUMETSAT. It belonged to the Meteosat Second Generation class, a model succeeding the original Meteosat series.  

### Technical Details  
- **Manufacturer**: Alcatel Space (now Thales Alenia Space).  
- **Launch Configuration**: Utilized an EPS L9.7 space tug with qualification L513.  
- **Mission Duration**: August 28, 2002 – July 1, 2022.  
- **Coverage Area**: Geostationary orbit, focusing on Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic.  

### Operational History  
- **Predecessor**: Meteosat 7.  
- **Successor**: Meteosat 9.  
- **Termination**: Retired on July 1, 2022, after concluding its service period.  

### Significance  
As the inaugural MSG satellite, Meteosat 8 enhanced meteorological capabilities with advanced instruments for cloud tracking, humidity measurement, and temperature profiling. Its data improved numerical weather prediction models and supported climate research initiatives.

## References

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