GMV advances the MTG-S1 Mission with cutting-edge satellite data control and processing technology

At 23:03 CEST on Tuesday, July 1, the MTG-S1 satellite, carrying the Sentinel-4 instrument, successfully launched from the European spaceport in Kourou, marking a significant milestone in Earth atmosphere observation. Developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and EUMETSAT, this mission will enable unprecedented monitoring of weather conditions and air quality across Europe from a geostationary orbit 36,000 km above the Earth. 

GMV has played a key role in the success of this ambitious mission. The company led the development of the Mission Operation Facility (MOF), the core ground segment responsible for commanding and controlling the fleet of Third Generation Meteosat (MTG) geostationary satellites. This sophisticated system comprises the Mission Control System (MCS), the Mission Planning System (MPS), and the Flight Dynamics System (FDS), all essential tools for the safe and efficient operation of the satellites.

GMV was also responsible for the initial prototypes of processing and simulation tools (Instrument Quality Tools, IQTs) and subsequently developed a large portion of the operational data processing chain, known as the Instrument Data Processing Facility (IDPF). Thanks to GMV’s work, data collected by the onboard instruments can be transformed into valuable information for meteorologists, climate scientists, and environmental authorities.

The MTG-S1 satellite is the first sounding satellite of the MTG series and carries two advanced instruments: the Infrared Sounder (IRS), which provides detailed profiles of temperature, humidity, and trace gas concentrations in the atmosphere, and the Copernicus Sentinel-4 UVN instrument, which will monitor air quality over Europe. This combination promises unprecedented improvements in weather forecasting, particularly for severe weather events, and will deliver near real-time data to support environmental monitoring, climate change research, and public health protection.

Through this contribution, GMV reinforces its leadership in operational systems and real-time satellite data processing, playing an essential role in a mission that will revolutionize our ability to monitor Earth’s atmosphere.

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