Ariane 62 | Metop-SG A1
Ariane 62 • Ariane
📝 Mission Description
Ariane 62 Debuts with Metop-SG A1: A Leap in European Weather Monitoring
On August 13, 2025, the European space industry marked a pivotal milestone with the inaugural launch of the Ariane 62 rocket, carrying the Metop-SG A1 satellite into orbit from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. This mission, orchestrated by the European Space Agency (ESA) and EUMETSAT, represents the dawn of a new era in meteorological satellite technology, blending advanced payload capabilities with a next-generation launch vehicle designed to bolster Europe's autonomous access to space.
At the heart of the mission lies the Metop-SG A1, the first in EUMETSAT's second-generation Metop series of polar-orbiting weather satellites. Its primary objectives center on enhancing global weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and environmental surveillance. Operating in a sun-synchronous orbit at approximately 830 kilometers altitude, the satellite will provide high-resolution data on atmospheric conditions, ocean surfaces, and land features. Key instruments include the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI-NG), which offers twice the spectral resolution of its predecessors for precise temperature and humidity profiling, and the Microwave Sounder (MWS), capable of penetrating clouds to measure precipitation and water vapor with unprecedented accuracy. Additional payloads like the 3MI (Multi-viewing Multi-channel Multi-polarization Imager) will track aerosols and air quality, while the Radio Occultation instrument will refine atmospheric models through GPS signal bending analysis. With a lifespan exceeding 10 years and a mass of about 4,000 kilograms, Metop-SG A1 promises to deliver data volumes 10 times greater than the first-generation Metop satellites, supporting applications from storm prediction to disaster response and contributing to international efforts like the Copernicus program.
The Ariane 62 rocket, a variant of the Ariane 6 family, embodies Europe's response to evolving commercial and strategic demands in the launch sector. Configured with two solid rocket boosters (P120C), a cryogenic main stage powered by the Vulcain 2.1 engine, and an upper stage with the Vinci restartable engine, it stands at 63 meters tall and weighs around 540 tons at liftoff. This setup generates a thrust of approximately 8,000 kN from the boosters alone, enabling it to loft up to 10.3 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO) or 4.5 tons to geostationary transfer orbit
ℹ️ Official Details
First of EUMETSAT's second generation of Metop weather satellites.
🎯 Post-Launch Analysis
The Ariane 62 mission carrying Metop-SG A1, launched on August 13, 2025, achieved a successful orbital insertion and payload deployment, marking a strong debut for EUMETSAT’s second-generation weather satellite program. The rocket’s technical performance was flawless, with precise staging and trajectory control ensuring the satellite reached its intended orbit. Payload deployment occurred as planned, with Metop-SG A1 now positioned to deliver critical meteorological data for improved weather forecasting and climate monitoring. Key engineering outcomes include validation of the Ariane 62’s design for heavy-lift missions, demonstrating reliability and precision. This success reinforces confidence in the platform for future launches and highlights Europe’s continued leadership in satellite-based environmental monitoring. The mission sets a robust foundation for subsequent Metop-SG deployments, promising enhanced global weather data and supporting international climate research initiatives.