MetOp-SG-A1 is part of the EUMETSAT Polar System – Second Generation (EPS-SG) program, a constellation of six satellites designed to operate in pairs in polar orbit. As Europe experiences warming at nearly twice the global average, the need for more accurate and timely weather forecasting has become increasingly urgent.
MetOp-SG-A1 represents a technological leap in Europe’s meteorological infrastructure, supporting critical improvements in weather prediction, climate monitoring, and nowcasting. Its advanced instruments, including the Copernicus Sentinel-5 payload, will deliver high-resolution data on atmospheric composition, temperature, precipitation, winds, and more. The satellite’s capabilities align with KONGSBERG’s mission to protect people and planet through innovative and reliable technologies.
KONGSBERG’s Space & Surveillance business unit has been a key industrial partner in the MetOp-SG program since the beginning of its development. The company has delivered critical technologies across multiple domains, including Laser Source Electronics for the satellite’s Infrared Sounder instrument, RF Back-End Electronics for the Microwave Sounder instrument, and key satellite mechanisms such as the Antenna Pointing Mechanism, Solar Array Drive Mechanism, and Solar Array Drive Electronics. These components are essential for the satellite’s precise operation and data handling in orbit.
In addition to its role in the satellite itself, KONGSBERG also contributed to the Ariane 6 launch vehicle. Since 1996, the company has supplied Booster Attachment and Release Mechanisms as well as Level Conditioners to the Ariane family of rockets, supporting Europe’s autonomous access to space.
“We are immensely proud to see our technology flying on the MetOp-SG-A1 satellite and the Ariane 6 launcher”, said Per-Erik Kristoffersen, Vice President Business Unit Space & Surveillance at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. “Being part of every major institutional space mission in Europe is a testament to the trust placed in our technology and people. We celebrate this achievement together with our customers, industrial partners, and the broader meteorological community.”
