Meteosat-10

Meteosat-10 is a European geostationary meteorological satellite operated by EUMETSAT (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites). It is part of the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) series of weather satellites, designed to provide continuous and detailed observations of the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces. Meteosat-10 plays a crucial role in global weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and environmental observation.

Background and Development

The Meteosat programme was initiated in the 1970s by the European Space Agency (ESA) and later managed operationally by EUMETSAT. The Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) series represents the evolution of this programme, providing improved imaging capabilities, higher temporal resolution, and more comprehensive data coverage compared to the earlier Meteosat First Generation satellites.
Meteosat-10, also known as MSG-3, was the third satellite in the MSG series. It was launched to ensure the continuity of meteorological data services and to enhance the accuracy and frequency of weather observations over Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic Ocean.

• Launch Date: 5 July 2012
• Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5 ECA
• Launch Site: Kourou, French Guiana
• Orbit: Geostationary, at approximately 36,000 km altitude
• Operational Orbit Position: Around 0° longitude over the equator
• Operator: EUMETSAT, with development support from ESA

Mission Objectives

Meteosat-10 was designed to meet the growing demand for high-resolution, near real-time weather data. Its key objectives include:

• Continuous observation of Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic region for weather forecasting and nowcasting.
• Monitoring of atmospheric phenomena such as storms, cyclones, and fog.
• Providing data for climate research, including long-term temperature and cloud cover trends.
• Supporting aviation meteorology, oceanography, and environmental monitoring.
• Enabling rapid dissemination of imagery and data to global meteorological agencies.

Design and Technical Features

Meteosat-10 is based on the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellite bus, a cylindrical spinning platform developed by Thales Alenia Space under ESA’s direction. The satellite has a design life of around seven years, though it often operates beyond that.
Key technical characteristics include:

• Mass: Approximately 2,000 kilograms at launch.
• Power Supply: Solar panels generating around 600 watts of power.
• Rotation: Spins at 100 revolutions per minute to stabilise orientation and scan the Earth systematically.
• Communications: Equipped with high-rate data links for transmission of imagery and meteorological information.

Payload and Instruments

The Meteosat-10 carries two primary instruments essential for meteorological observation and data transmission:

1. SEVIRI (Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager)
   • The main imaging instrument on the satellite.
   • Captures images in 12 spectral channels—ranging from visible to thermal infrared.
   • Provides full Earth-disk imagery every 15 minutes, facilitating continuous weather monitoring.
   • Capable of detecting atmospheric features such as cloud structure, sea-surface temperatures, water vapour distribution, and dust storms.
2. GERB (Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget)
   • Measures the Earth’s radiation budget, i.e., the balance between incoming solar energy and outgoing thermal radiation.
   • Contributes to climate modelling and energy balance studies.

Additional systems include:

• Data Collection System (DCS): For relaying environmental and meteorological data from ground-based sensors.
• Search and Rescue Transponder: Supporting the international COSPAS-SARSAT system by detecting and relaying distress signals from ships and aircraft.

Operational Role and Services

Meteosat-10 was positioned at 0° longitude, where it served as the prime operational satellite for EUMETSAT’s European and African coverage from 2013 until it was later succeeded in this role by Meteosat-11.
Its operational functions included:

• Providing continuous imagery for weather forecasting and storm tracking.
• Delivering Rapid Scan Service (RSS) data every 5 minutes for Europe and North Africa.
• Supporting early warning systems for severe weather phenomena, including tropical cyclones and thunderstorms.
• Assisting agriculture, fisheries, and disaster management through real-time meteorological data dissemination.

After Meteosat-11 took over the primary service role, Meteosat-10 was repositioned in orbit to act as a backup and data relay satellite, continuing to provide valuable services for extended observation programmes.

Significance for Meteorology and Climate Studies

Meteosat-10’s continuous and high-resolution observations have contributed significantly to global and regional weather prediction systems. Key contributions include:

• Enhanced short-term forecasting (nowcasting) by enabling forecasters to monitor storm development in real time.
• Improved numerical weather prediction models through assimilation of SEVIRI data.
• Long-term climate data records, useful for assessing trends in cloud cover, surface temperature, and atmospheric dynamics.
• Support for African weather services through the AMESD (African Monitoring of the Environment for Sustainable Development) and AGRHYMET programmes.

Successor and Legacy

Meteosat-10 was succeeded operationally by Meteosat-11 in 2018 and later complemented by Meteosat-12 (MSG-4). Together, these satellites ensured uninterrupted data continuity from the Meteosat Second Generation series.
The legacy of Meteosat-10 continues within the framework of Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) satellites, launched from 2022 onwards, offering even higher resolution and faster imaging capabilities, particularly in lightning detection and atmospheric sounding.