|
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.
|
