EUMETSAT invests in development of new weather and climate satellite systems

HQ with satellites - EUMETSAT Council approves funding for preparatory activities for innovative polar-orbiting satellite systems - EUMETSAT, Europe's meteorological satellite agency, will examine the expansion of its low-Earth-orbiting fleet with new, complementary satellite systems. Meeting in Darmstadt, Germany, today, the EUMETSAT Council authorised the organisation to proceed with a €26.8 million investment over the next three years in the preparatory phase of new satellite systems designed to significantly improve weather forecasting accuracy. The funding will allow engineering activities to continue on the EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS) - Aeolus and EPS-Sterna missions, which would measure winds and atmospheric temperature and humidity respectively. The work will pave the way for the council's decision, by mid-2025, whether to proceed with the two programmes. HQ with satellites - "Our goal is to provide meteorological services in our member states with the data they need to provide timely, accurate weather forecasts to keep their communities safe and enhance their economies," EUMETSAT Director-General Phil Evans said. "The council's decision is an important commitment to these two innovative satellite systems." The EPS-Sterna mission would enable the provision of atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles. The mission would significantly benefit medium and short-range weather forecasting globally, as well as enhancing very-short-range forecasting regionally at high latitudes.