The Radio Occultation Sounder is a limb-sounding instrument that produces around 1,400 daily vertical profiles of temperature and humidity, along with electron density profiles in the ionosphere. The RO has a very high vertical resolution, enabling it to give detailed insight into the vertical structure of the atmosphere. RO data also helps in calibrating other remote sensing observations, as it is weather-independent and calibration-free.<\/p>\n
Global distribution of RO occultations between 20 and 26 August. The smaller plots show vertical temperature and humidity profiles derived from the instrument\u2019s first measurements on 20 August over the Southern Pacific. The curves are plotted alongside ECMWF forecast data, revealing how RO measurements refine and update temperature structure predictions, particularly in data-sparse regions.<\/p>\n
Both the MWS and RO will provide inputs of unprecedented precision for NWP. While these early signals show that progress is continuing at pace, the data is not yet operationally qualified, and the commissioning of Metop-SGA1 is expected to require months of thorough testing and calibration before any data are released to Member State meteorological services or other users.<\/p>\n
Phil Evans, EUMETSAT Director-General, said: \u201cReceiving these first data so quickly is a thrilling achievement for EUMETSAT, particularly considering the technological sophistication of Metop-SGA1 and its payload. In collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and our European industry partners, EUMETSAT teams are working intensely to render all the satellite\u2019s instruments operational, and the fact that data is already flowing seamlessly from the MWS and the RO shows that we are firmly on the right track to having powerful, validated products ready for our user community in the planned timeframe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simonetta Cheli, ESA\u2019s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, said, \u201cThese first glimpses of data are extremely encouraging, and I want to thank all the teams who have contributed \u2013 both to developing the mission as a whole and to operating and commissioning Metop-SGA1 in orbit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a major undertaking: six satellites in total, flying in successive pairs and delivering critical data for at least the next 20 years. While we closely monitor Metop-SGA1\u2019s early performance, we are already in the final stages of preparing its companion, Metop-SGB1, for launch next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether, the polar-orbiting Metop-SG mission and the geostationary Meteosat Third Generation mission place Europe firmly at the forefront of global weather forecasting.\u201d<\/p>\n
For further updates on Metop-SGA1, visit\u00a0EUMETSAT\u2019s launch hub<\/a>, which features news, interviews, and insights into the satellite\u2019s journey. Details of the payloads on both EPS-SG satellites can be found on the dedicated Metop-SG instruments page<\/a>.<\/p>\n