Meteosat Third Generation: progress on space segment system feasibility studies: payload aspects

Abstract

ESA and EUMETSAT have initiated joint preparatory activities for the formulation and definition of the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) geostationary system to ensure the continuity and improvement of the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) system. The MTG will become the new system to be the backbone of the European operational meteorological services from 2015, in particular, will ensure the continuation of the imagery missions. The first phases were devoted to the definition and consolidation of end user requirements and priorities in the field of Nowcasting and Very Short Term Weather Forecasting (NWC), Medium/Short Range global and regional Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP), Climate and Air Composition Monitoring and to the definition of the relevant observation techniques. The following missions have been analysed and preliminary concepts studied: The Flexible Combined Imager, an improvement of the actual MSG-SEVIRI Imager Lightning Imagery Mission IR Sounding Mission UV-VIS-NIR Sounding Mission as a payload complement from GMES. After pre-phase A mission studies (2003-2006), where preliminary instrument concepts were investigated allowing in the same time to consolidate the technical requirements for the overall system study, a phase A study on MTG has been launched at the beginning of February 2007 for the space segment system feasibility and programmatic aspects to be accomplished during 2007-2008 time frame. The space segment phase A study will cover all elements to the level of details allowing to conclude on the feasibility of the system and to produce cost estimates with a good level of confidence. This paper provides an overview of the outcome of the MTG space segment at the end of phase A, addressing the progress accomplished for the various payloads in terms of achievable performances including Radiometry and Image Navigation and Registration aspects. It namely focuses onto the Imaging and IR Sounding, Lightning Missions, introduces the UV-VIS-NIR Sounding mission concept status, establishes the critical technologies and introduces the way forward to the implementation of the MTG development programme.