The operational processors will generate the Microwave Sounder (MWS) and Multi-viewing, Multi-channel, Multi-polarization Imaging (3MI) Instruments data. MWS will provide essential atmospheric temperature and water vapor sounding data, while 3MI will offer comprehensive information on atmospheric aerosols and clouds.

 The agreement between Deimos and EUMETSAT for the continuation of the procurement of several operational processors for EUMETSAT Polar System – Second Generation (EPS-SG) was achieved last year, representing the evolution and consolidation of the earlier versions of several processors already developed by Deimos for Metop-SGA1, the first satellite of Metop – Second Generation (Metop-SG).

The EUMETSAT EPS-SG programme consists of two-series of Metop-SG meteorological satellites, which will act as the successor to the MetOp series, providing global observations for weather forecasts and climate monitoring, and operating in a sun-synchronous polar orbit. The EPS-SG system will comprise two types of Metop-SG satellites – Metop-SGA and Metop-SGB – each endowed with different suites of highly-complementary instruments. Three successive pairs of Metop-SGA and Metop-SGB spacecraft will be deployed, enabling full operational coverage of more than two decades, beginning in the mid-2020s.

The METOP-SGA series is composed by a set of 3 identical satellites equipped with six different instruments for operational meteorology:  microwave and hyperspectral infrared instruments and two advanced optical imagers. Deimos is now progressing with five operational data processors for two of those instruments: one optical polarimetric imager and the microwave radiometer (3MI and MWS).

These are critical functions to the overall programme, as they will handle the generation of a massive volume of products, and need to be integrated in the payload data acquisition and processing component of the satellite, that will in turn fulfill the user needs and requirements of the EPS-SG.

The processors are scheduled to be delivered and consolidated in the EPS-SG Overall Ground Segment during 2024. The planned launch date of the Metop-SGA1 satellite is set for 2025.

More information about METOP-SG here.