The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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For the past 23 years, Europe’s Meteosat satellites have been sending pictures of the weather back to Earth for viewing by millions on daily TV weather bulletins. Their position in geostationary orbit at 0 degrees longitude has given them an unprecedented view of the weather over Europe, Africa and the eastern Atlantic. The images have contributed to an enormous improvement in the accuracy of medium-range weather forecasts over these regions.
With the pre-operational programme well underway, plans were drawn up in 1983 for the Meteosat Operational Programme (MOP).
The decision was taken to create Eumetsat, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, to run the programme on behalf of users. The operational programme involved building Meteosats 4, 5 and 6 (MOP 1, 2 and 3) for launch in 1989, 1991 and 1993 respectively.
ESA’s role changed from one of development and programme definition to satellite procurement and housekeeping on behalf of Eumetsat.
Meteosat-7, the last satellite in the series was launched in 1997. It is part of a Meteosat Transition Programme (MTP), which will manage the handover between the first and second generation of satellites.
Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) will be an upgraded series of satellites employing state of the art technology, which will continue the fine tradition of the first series, but with improved data gathering capabilities.