How a single satellite helps predict a thunderstorm before it hits
In short: Weather forecasting relies on more than just looking at the clouds. To provide life-saving warnings for high-impact events like fog or lightning, scientists need a constant, high-resolution view of our planet from 36,000 kilometers away. The MSG-3 satellite was built to ensure that view never goes dark.
Developed jointly by EUMETSAT and the European Space Agency, the MSG-3 satellite represents a vital part of the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) programme. Launched on July 5, 2012, from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, the satellite was designed to replace the aging Meteosat-8. Its primary role is to maintain a continuous stream of meteorological data from geostationary orbit, which is essential for 'nowcasting'—the detection of rapidly developing weather phenomena like thunderstorms and fog. While polar-orbiting satellites like the Metop series provide valuable data, the geostationary Meteosat satellites offer a unique observational input. They provide a persistent perspective that complements polar data, feeding into Numerical Weather Prediction models. This system has been instrumental in building climate records that now span over 30 years.
To assist meteorologists across Africa, Europe, and sections of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans where tropical cyclones occur, MSG-3 operates in tandem with Meteosat-9 as a dual-satellite unit. A demanding process exists between the initial launch and active service. After the initial lift-off by an Ariane 5 rocket, the ESA Space Operations Centre manages the Launch and Early Orbit Phase for about ten days before handing the spacecraft to EUMETSAT. This is followed by a six-month commissioning period: two months for technical check-outs and four months for imaging, product testing, and calibration. This meticulous process ensures that the SEVIRI imager provides the precise data needed to issue timely warnings for extreme weather.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Replay MSG-3 launch
- Also: MSG-3 successfully launched
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