# Meteosat

> family of European weather satellites

**Wikidata**: [Q1429889](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1429889)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteosat)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/meteosat

## Summary  
Meteosat is a family of European weather satellites that operate in geostationary orbit to monitor the continent’s weather and climate. The program began service on 9 December 1977 and has been operated first by the European Space Agency (1977‑1995) and then by EUMETSAT (1995‑present), evolving through three generations of spacecraft.

## Key Facts  
- **Program entry into service:** 9 December 1977 【service_entry】  
- **Initial operator:** European Space Agency (ESA) from 1977 to 1995 【operator】  
- **Current operator:** EUMETSAT since 1995 【operator】  
- **Orbit type:** Geostationary orbit (satellite of geostationary orbit) 【satellite_of】  
- **Classifications:** Weather satellite and geostationary satellite 【subclass_of】  
- **Family composition:** Meteosat First Generation, Meteosat Second Generation, Meteosat Third Generation 【has_part(s)】  
- **Instance type:** Spacecraft family 【instance_of】  
- **Program start (conceptual):** 1960 【start_time】  
- **Image reference:** [EUMETSAT Meteosat model](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/EUMETSAT_Meteosat_model.jpg) 【image】  
- **Wikidata description:** “family of European weather satellites” 【wikidata_description】

## FAQs  
### Q: What is the Meteosat program?  
A: Meteosat is a series of European geostationary weather satellites that provide continuous observation of the atmosphere for forecasting and climate monitoring.  

### Q: Who operates Meteosat satellites?  
A: The program was operated by the European Space Agency from 1977 to 1995 and has been operated by EUMETSAT since 1995.  

### Q: How many generations of Meteosat exist?  
A: Meteosat comprises three generations: First Generation, Second Generation, and Third Generation, each representing successive technological upgrades.  

### Q: When did Meteosat first become operational?  
A: The first Meteosat satellite entered service on 9 December 1977.  

### Q: What orbit do Meteosat satellites use?  
A: All Meteosat satellites are placed in a geostationary orbit, allowing them to remain fixed over a single point on Earth’s equator.  

## Why It Matters  
Meteosat delivers real‑time, high‑resolution imagery and atmospheric data that are essential for weather prediction, severe‑storm monitoring, and climate research across Europe and surrounding regions. By maintaining a continuous view from geostationary orbit, the satellites enable forecasters to track cloud development, temperature changes, and atmospheric dynamics with minimal latency. The program’s longevity—spanning over four decades—has built a consistent, reliable data record that underpins national meteorological services, aviation safety, disaster response, and agricultural planning. Moreover, the transition from ESA to EUMETSAT reflects a collaborative European approach to space‑based environmental monitoring, ensuring that satellite resources remain publicly accessible and scientifically valuable. In short, Meteosat is a cornerstone of Europe’s weather‑observation infrastructure, supporting both everyday forecasting and long‑term climate studies.

## Notable For  
- **First European geostationary weather satellite series** – launched in 1977, establishing Europe’s independent meteorological space capability.  
- **Three‑generation evolution** – continuous upgrades from First to Third Generation have kept the system technologically current.  
- **Long operational lifespan** – over 40 years of service, providing a continuous climate data record.  
- **Dual‑operator history** – transitioned from ESA to EUMETSAT, illustrating successful inter‑agency collaboration.  
- **Comprehensive coverage** – geostationary positioning gives uninterrupted observation of Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic region.

## Body  

### Overview  
Meteosat is defined as a **spacecraft family** that belongs to the classes of **weather satellite** and **geostationary satellite**. Its primary purpose is to monitor weather and climate from a **geostationary orbit**, keeping a fixed view over the same Earth region.

### History  
- **Conceptual start:** 1960 (earliest recorded start time).  
- **Service entry:** 9 December 1977, marking the first operational Meteosat launch.  
- **Operator transition:** ESA managed the program from its inception until 1995, after which EUMETSAT assumed responsibility.

### Generations  
Meteosat is organized into three distinct generations, each representing a new set of spacecraft with improved sensors and capabilities:  
1. **Meteosat First Generation** – the original series launched beginning in 1977.  
2. **Meteosat Second Generation** – introduced later with upgraded instrumentation.  
3. **Meteosat Third Generation** – the most recent series, featuring modern imaging technology.

### Technical Characteristics  
- **Orbit:** Geostationary, enabling constant monitoring of a fixed Earth sector.  
- **Classification:** Subclassed under both weather satellites and geostationary satellites, reflecting its dual role in atmospheric observation and orbital design.  
- **Image assets:** Representative model image available via Wikimedia Commons.

### Operations and Impact  
- **Data provision:** Supplies continuous meteorological data to European national weather services, aviation authorities, and climate researchers.  
- **Collaboration:** Operated under the auspices of ESA and later EUMETSAT, ensuring European ownership of critical weather‑satellite infrastructure.  
- **Legacy:** The program’s longevity has created a valuable, long‑term climate data set that supports both operational forecasting and scientific research.

### References & Identifiers  
- **Wikidata ID:** family of European weather satellites (description).  
- **Freebase ID:** /m/037wrz (cited 28 Oct 2013).  
- **Encyclopedia IDs:** Encyclopædia Britannica (topic/Meteosat), Encyclopædia Universalis (meteosat‑programme), Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana (meteosat).  
- **Commons Category:** Meteosat.  

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*All statements are derived from the provided source material and are verifiable through the cited references.*

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/meteosat-1.htm)
2. [Source](https://www.eumetsat.int/meteosat-first-generation-retired)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013