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European Space Agency

Press Release

MSG-1 first image unveiled
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11 December 2002

This dramatic image of the Earth is the first from the Meteosat Second 
Generation (MSG-1) satellite, launched 28 August. 

This image is a colour composite derived from three of the twelve
channels operating in the visible and infra-red parts of the spectrum
used by MSG's main instrument, the Spinning Enhanced Visible and
Infra-red Imager (SEVIRI).

The MSG-1 spacecraft, currently located at 10 deg West for its initial 
commissioning phase, will be moved later to its final location to 
begin full operation.

For weather forecasting and other meteorological purposes, imagery
should first be geometrically and radiometrically corrected. This
uncorrected image, acquired 28 November 2002 by Eumetsat, already
clearly shows the desert and vegetated areas on the African and South
American continents, as well as overcast regions with distinct ice and 
water clouds. 

It is fitting that the first image from MSG-1 should come at this
time, just a few weeks after the 25th anniversary of the launch of
ESA's first meteorological satellite, Meteosat-1, on 23 November 1977.

As the first image from Meteosat-1 presaged a new era in European
weather forecasting and climate studies, this first image from MSG-1
heralds another breakthrough for European satellite meteorology. 

Launched from the Guiana Space Centre, Europe's spaceport at Kourou,
French Guiana on a European Ariane-5 launcher, MSG-1 is the first of a 
new series of meteorological satellites. The MSG series will take
images at more wavelengths and at shorter intervals than its Meteosat
predecessors. This enhanced capability makes MSG particularly suitable 
for short-term forecasting of sudden troublesome weather phenomena, 
such as snow, thunderstorms and fog. 

TV weather bulletins will be able to provide clearer images on our
screens and sequences of cloud development will be smoother and more
realistic. The improved images will allow meteorologists to provide
more accurate medium and short-term weather forecasts. 

MSG is a joint project between ESA and Eumetsat, the organisation
formed in 1986 to establish, maintain and operate a European system of 
meteorological satellites. Three MSG satellites are planned at
present, as well as a ground segment. ESA is responsible for designing 
and developing the first satellite, and for procuring the other two on 
behalf of Eumetsat. In turn, Eumetsat is responsible for defining the 
payload based on user needs, procuring the ground segment and 
launchers, and operating the system. 

With the launch of MSG-2, at any one time, two MSG satellites will be
functional in geostationary orbit, the operational one being at 0
degrees longitude which is above equatorial west Africa, the other on
stand-by with 10 degrees of separation. MSG-3 will be built and put in 
storage until it is required to take over as MSG-1 nears the end of 
its life. Each satellite will have a nominal seven-year lifetime.  A 
fourth MSG satellite of the same design is foreseen to ensure
continuity of service until the end of the next decade. 

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