description Metop-C Overview
Metop-C is a meteorological satellite launched in November 2018 from French Guiana, serving as the third and final component of the EUMETSAT Polar System. Operated by EUMETSAT and developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency, it circles the Earth in a sun-synchronous low Earth orbit. The satellite carries an advanced suite of instruments, such as infrared and microwave sounders, to measure atmospheric temperature, humidity, and trace gases. Metop-C provides critical data for global weather forecasting and climate monitoring.
insights Ranking position
Metop-C ranks #57 of 187 in the Satellite ranking, behind Sentinel-3B, ahead of Pleiades Neo 4.
help Metop-C FAQ
When was Metop-C launched and what is its role?
Metop-C was launched on November 7, 2018, from the Guiana Space Centre aboard a Soyuz rocket, serving as the third and final satellite in the first-generation EUMETSAT Polar System. It joined Metop-B in the same sun-synchronous polar orbit to ensure redundancy and continuity of critical meteorological data for European weather services.
What is the difference between Metop-C and Metop-B?
Metop-C and Metop-B carry essentially identical instrument suites, including IASI, AVHRR, and ASCAT, and are designed to fly in a phased configuration in the same orbit. The primary difference is their launch dates—Metop-B launched in 2012 and Metop-C in 2018—ensuring overlapping coverage as the older satellite ages.
What data does Metop-C provide for numerical weather prediction?
Metop-C delivers atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles through its IASI and AMSU instruments, ocean surface wind vectors from ASCAT, and atmospheric chemistry measurements from GOME-2. This data feeds directly into operational weather models run by ECMWF, Meteo-France, and other national meteorological services, improving forecast accuracy across multiple time ranges.
What will replace Metop-C when it reaches end of life?
The Metop Second Generation (Metop-SG) satellites, developed jointly by ESA and EUMETSAT, will replace the first-generation Metop series starting in the mid-2020s. The new system consists of three satellite types designated A, B, and C, each carrying enhanced instrument suites for atmospheric, oceanographic, and environmental monitoring.
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