Next-Gen Weather Satellite Completes Critical Environmental Tests

Next-Gen Weather Satellite Completes Critical Environmental Tests
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Jul 16, 2024

As climate change drives more frequent and severe weather events, the importance of precise and timely forecasting has grown immensely. The upcoming Meteosat Third Generation weather satellite has successfully completed its environmental testing, marking a significant milestone on its path to launch.

This new series of satellites aims to revolutionize weather forecasting, particularly across Europe.

Following the successful 2022 launch of the first MTG-Imager satellite, which introduced an advanced family of six satellites, attention is now on the first MTG-Sounder (MTG-S1) satellite.

While the MTG-Imager enhanced imaging capabilities over its predecessor, the MTG-S1 satellite will offer an important infrared sounding capability, further improving weather prediction accuracy.

Additionally, it is equipped with the Copernicus Sentinel-4 instrument for air pollution monitoring.

Scheduled for launch next year, the MTG-S1 has endured over seven months of rigorous testing at IABG's facilities near Munich, Germany. These tests ensure the satellite can withstand the launch and the harsh conditions 36,000 km above Earth's equator, where it will operate for at least a decade.

Departing from the traditional 'shake and bake' testing approach, the MTG-S1 underwent a 'bake and shake' sequence instead.

The satellite was first subjected to a thermal vacuum test, placing it in a large vacuum chamber for three weeks under extreme temperatures ranging from -180 C to +250 C.

After passing this test, the satellite faced the 'shake' phase, including a vibration test on an enormous shaker to simulate the launch's juddering, followed by an acoustic test exposing it to over 140 dB to mimic rocket ignition and engine noise.

For these tests, the satellite was in 'launch configuration,' with its solar arrays and antennas folded, and loaded with harmless fluid to simulate its launch weight.

Engineers used this opportunity to verify the satellite's mass properties, including its weight and center of mass. The satellite's weight was confirmed to be just over 3.8 tonnes, as predicted.

Following the bake and shake tests, a comprehensive set of functional tests were conducted. These verified that the deployable mechanisms and internal systems essential for instrument operation worked correctly.

Performance tests, including the instrument data acquisition chain, were repeated to ensure the satellite's performance remained unaffected by the testing.

Furthermore, the MTG-Sounder satellite was commanded from the Telespazio and Eumetsat mission control centers, demonstrating command and control capabilities from separation from the rocket through to routine operations and end-of-life procedures.

Finally, the satellite was tested in an anechoic chamber to assess its resilience to electromagnetic interference from both the rocket and itself.

ESA's Christoph Goetz, responsible for MTG-S assembly, integration, and testing activities, said, "All the teams involved are extremely excited about MTG-S1, which will revolutionise weather forecasting.

"The successful completion of this extensive environmental test campaign, just 10 months after the integration of the two MTG-S1 instruments, is a huge achievement and a major step towards the launch of the MTG-S1 satellite.

"We congratulate all of the industrial teams, especially OHB Germany, as the MTG-S's prime contractor, and Thales Alenia Space France, as the MTG mission's prime contractor.

"We also thank Airbus Germany for their support in testing Sentinel-4 and of course IABG Germany for their on-site assistance during the testing."

In the upcoming months, MTG-S1 will undergo final checks at OHB in Bremen to prepare for temporary storage before being shipped to the launch site.

"It is very pleasing to see this significant milestone accomplished and I congratulate all teams involved. The next step will be the Qualification and Acceptance Review that will confirm that the satellite is ready for launch," said James Champion, ESA's MTG Project Manager.

The MTG mission is a collaboration between Eumetsat and ESA.

ESA is responsible for developing and procuring the MTG satellites. The full MTG system consists of four MTG-Imagers and two MTG-Sounders. Eumetsat defines system requirements, develops ground systems, procures launch services, operates the satellites, and distributes the data.

The MTG-S satellites also support the Copernicus Sentinel-4 mission with an ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light spectrometer.