# MetOp-A

> decommissioned European meteorology satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q13983567](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13983567)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/metop-a

## Summary
MetOp-A was Europe's first polar-orbiting meteorological satellite, launched in 2006 to provide global weather data. It operated for 15 years before being decommissioned in 2021 and successfully deorbited in November 2021. The satellite was operated by EUMETSAT and sponsored by the European Space Agency.

## Key Facts
- Launched on October 19, 2006 at 16:28:13 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31
- Mass: 4,085 kg (gross weight) and 3,769 kg (empty weight)
- Operated in Sun-synchronous orbit
- Decommissioned on November 15, 2021 and deorbited on November 30, 2021
- Carried five scientific instruments including Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit and Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer
- Powered by a photovoltaic system with 1,810 watts capacity
- Manufactured by Space Systems
- Followed by MetOp-B satellite

## FAQs
### Q: What was MetOp-A's primary mission?
A: MetOp-A's primary mission was to provide global weather data and meteorological observations from polar orbit, serving as Europe's first operational polar-orbiting weather satellite.

### Q: How long did MetOp-A operate?
A: MetOp-A operated for 15 years, from its launch on October 19, 2006 until its decommissioning on November 15, 2021.

### Q: What happened to MetOp-A after decommissioning?
A: After decommissioning, MetOp-A was successfully deorbited on November 30, 2021, marking the end of its operational life and ensuring safe disposal from orbit.

## Why It Matters
MetOp-A represented a significant advancement in European meteorological capabilities, establishing the first operational polar-orbiting weather satellite system for Europe. Its data was crucial for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and atmospheric research, providing observations that complemented geostationary satellites by offering global coverage including polar regions. The satellite's instruments measured temperature, humidity, ozone levels, and other atmospheric parameters with unprecedented accuracy, improving weather prediction models and severe weather warnings. MetOp-A's success paved the way for the MetOp satellite series, which continues to be a cornerstone of global meteorological observation systems. The satellite demonstrated Europe's capability to operate sophisticated Earth observation systems independently, reducing reliance on other nations' meteorological satellites and ensuring data sovereignty for European weather services.

## Notable For
- First European operational polar-orbiting meteorological satellite
- Carried the most comprehensive suite of atmospheric sounding instruments at launch
- Operated successfully for 15 years, exceeding typical operational lifespans
- Successfully demonstrated end-of-life disposal through controlled deorbiting
- Established the foundation for Europe's current operational meteorological satellite system

## Body
### Launch and Specifications
MetOp-A launched on October 19, 2006 at 16:28:13 UTC aboard a Soyuz-2.1a rocket (serial number Zh15000-003) from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31. The satellite had a gross mass of 4,085 kg and an empty mass of 3,769 kg. It operated in a Sun-synchronous orbit, maintaining consistent lighting conditions for its observations.

### Scientific Instruments
The satellite carried five primary scientific instruments:
- Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU)
- Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR)
- Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME)
- Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI)
- Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS)

These instruments provided comprehensive atmospheric measurements including temperature profiles, humidity levels, ozone concentrations, and cloud properties.

### Power and Operation
MetOp-A was powered by a photovoltaic system capable of generating 1,810 watts. The satellite was operated by EUMETSAT under sponsorship from the European Space Agency. It served as the first in the MetOp series of polar-orbiting meteorological satellites.

### End of Life
The satellite was decommissioned on November 15, 2021, and successfully deorbited on November 30, 2021. This controlled disposal demonstrated responsible space operations and set a precedent for end-of-life management of meteorological satellites. The mission established the operational framework for subsequent MetOp satellites, with MetOp-B following as its successor.

## References

1. [Source](https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/m/metop)
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/metop.htm)
3. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/m/metop.html)
4. Jonathan's Space Report
5. [Source](https://www.wmo-sat.info/oscar/satellites/view/metop_a)
6. [Source](https://user.eumetsat.int/resources/service-statuses/metop-spacecraft-status)
7. [Europe’s first polar-orbiting weather satellite successfully deorbited. EUMETSAT. 2021](https://www.eumetsat.int/europes-first-polar-orbiting-weather-satellite-successfully-deorbited)