From cleanroom to space – MetOp-SG-A1 and Sentinel-5
Europe’s first MetOp Second Generation, MetOp-SG-A1, weather satellite – which hosts the Copernicus Sentinel-5 mission – has launched aboard an Ariane 6 rocket from the European spaceport in French Guiana. The rocket lifted off on 13 August at 02:37 CEST (12 August 21:37 Kourou time).
MetOp-SG-A1 is the first in a series of three successive pairs of satellites. The mission as a whole not only ensures the continued delivery of global observations from polar orbit for weather forecasting and climate analysis for more than 20 years, but also offers enhanced accuracy and resolution compared to the original MetOp mission – along with new measurement capabilities to expand its scientific reach.
This new weather satellite also carries the Copernicus Sentinel-5 mission to deliver daily global data on air pollutants and atmospheric trace gases as well as aerosols and ultraviolet radiation.
Ariane 6 is Europe’s heavy launcher and a key element of ESA’s efforts to ensure autonomous access to space for Europe’s citizens. Ariane 6 has three stages: two or four boosters, and a main and upper stage. For this flight, VA264, the rocket was used in its two-booster configuration.
Credit: ESA/CNES/ArianeGroup/Arianespace
Access the video on the ESA video library: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2025/08/MetOp-SG-A1_and_Sentinel-5_from_cleanroom_to_space
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Congratulations🎉
To all their scientists and engineers🎉
WOW
No one is going to mention the rumble in the jungle?
❤❤❤
"Europa Nesa Elia, a super European spacecraft, super synthetic, super resistant, with diversified self-repair and self-regeneration systems, a new astronomical number, a mega ship, super advanced, with highly resistant structures, fully intact, with powerful mini-energy propulsion systems. The project is called Europa Nesa Ernia, using phosphoric fuel, ultra-safe energy, super-adaptable ship systems, perfect technology, safety measures, and self-sufficiency."