New European satellites launch from Florida to track weather and air quality from space.
Two advanced Earth observation satellites recently departed Cape Canaveral aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9. These missions aim to revolutionize how we monitor severe weather patterns and atmospheric pollution across Europe by providing high-frequency data from a geostationary vantage point.
The Meteosat Third Generation Sounder-1, or MTG-S1, introduces a novel capability for meteorological forecasting. By utilizing the first operational European Infrared Sounder, it captures three-dimensional atmospheric imagery, which is particularly effective for nowcasting dangerous weather events. It represents the second satellite prepared for the MTG constellation.
Simultaneously, the Copernicus Sentinel-4 mission marks a milestone as the inaugural geostationary project dedicated to European air quality. Its ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared spectrometer delivers hourly updates, offering a transformative approach to predicting pollution levels across the continent.
