The MetOp-B weather satellite is now orbiting the Earth and sending back vital data to forecasters. Number 2 in a series of 3 satellites, it follows MetOp-A, which was launched in 2006 and which sends back observations for forecasts. MetOp-A's information has made a huge contribution to the accuracy of the one-day forecast, and MetOp-B provides continuity. MetOp-C is due for launch in 2016/7. These satellites are managed by EUMETSAT, the intergovernmental organisation charged with running Europe's weather platforms.
The UK Space Agency invested over ?80 million in the project. The UK Space Agency is at the heart of UK efforts to explore and benefit from space.? The UK's thriving space sector contributes ?9.1 billion a year to the UK economy and directly employs 28,900 people.
MetOp-B was launched from Baikonur in Kazakhstan late last year on a Soyuz rocket which carried the four-tonne MetOp-B spacecraft up for a flight into orbit. The 4100 kg satellite is around the size of two family saloon cars.
"Now, you could not imagine predicting the weather without satellites," said Dr Alain Ratier, the director general of EUMETSAT. He added that 25% of the performance of 24-hour forecasts can be attributed to data from these satellites. This kind of data is especially important for Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP)
MetOp-B?s main structure, propulsion system and the Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS) are state-of-the-art and are British-built. The MHS measures radiation in the atmosphere, the temperature structure of the atmosphere and how it varies from the Earth's surface up into the stratosphere,?and also ?humidity up to the tropopause.
Other instruments on board were developed by NASA Goddard and provided by NOAA, including the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU)-A1 and AMSU-A2, the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), the High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS), and the Space Environment Monitor (SEM).
The MetOp satellites can also measure ocean surface wind speed and direction as well as concentrations of ozone and other trace gases. They are fitted with a data relay system, linking up to buoys and other automatic data collection devices.
Along with similar American satellites, the MetOp system adds to sources of weather information from other satellites, weather balloons, ground based weather stations and observers.
Interestingly, the MetOp satellites also have search and rescue instruments on board. The instruments on MetOp-A have delivered over 2,500 distress signals, leading the the rescue of over 10,000 people according to manufacturers Astrium.
MetOp overview on EUMETSAT site >>
Video with Alan Ratier from EUMETSAT about the importance of MetOp-B >>
EUMETSAT information about MetOp data services >>
Images courtesy of NASA and European Space Agency.
Source: http://www.rmets.org/weather-satellite-metop-b-improving-forecasting
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