New satellite launched for climate analysis

The satellite is the first of six being built by Airbus

A newly launched satellite will help with weather forecasting and climate analysis.

UK Aerospace company Airbus, based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, built the MetOp-SG A1 under leadership from the European Space Agency (ESA).

It was successfully launched into orbit on an Ariane 6 rocket from Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, at 01:37 BST.

Five more satellites are being built by Airbus in Toulouse, France, and Friedrichshafen, Germany, which will ensure coverage over the next two decades.

The rocket successfully launched in the early hours of Tuesday morning

The satellites work in pairs, with one providing atmospheric sounding and imaging data, and the other offering microwave imaging and radar observations.

The satellites included a propulsion system which allowed them to begin a descent into the sea after their mission was complete, reducing space debris.

Martin Gittins, head of propulsion programme at Airbus Stevenage, said more than 100 engineers have worked on the project in the Hertfordshire town alone.

He has worked on this project with his team since 2016.

He said: "You can't get much more exciting than seeing a rocket launch and your payload being delivered safely into space.

"Yes, it's a long programme, but you have to balance that with the excitement of the launch."

Martin Gittins has worked on this project for nine years

Simonetta Cheli, ESA's director of earth observation programmes, said the satellites will help predictions despite "increasingly erratic weather patterns".

He explained: "Timely and precise forecasting has never been more crucial, and the MetOp-SG mission is now set to play a critical role in improving weather forecasts and climate monitoring."

Alain Fauré, head of space systems at Airbus, added: "The successful launch of MetOp-SG A1 is a landmark moment for Europe and for global weather forecasting.

"Having designed and built the first generation of MetOp satellites, we now see the first of this powerful new series in orbit.

"These satellites will be the sentinels of our planet, helping to deliver more accurate weather predictions that benefit citizens across the globe."