EUMETSAT Polar System
Overview
The EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS) is a collaborative initiative led by the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) to provide essential data for weather forecasting and climate monitoring. The system is part of a broader global effort to enhance meteorological observations from polar orbiting satellites, complementing geostationary systems by providing comprehensive coverage of the Earth's atmosphere and surface. The EPS is crucial for improving the accuracy of numerical weather prediction models and for monitoring long-term climate changes.
Historical Background
The inception of the EUMETSAT Polar System dates back to the early 1990s when the need for a European polar orbiting satellite system became evident. The European Space Agency (ESA) and EUMETSAT collaborated to develop the MetOp series of satellites, which form the backbone of the EPS. The first satellite, MetOp-A, was launched in 2006, marking a significant milestone in European meteorology. This collaboration was further strengthened by agreements with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to ensure global data coverage and continuity.
Satellite Components
The EPS consists of the MetOp series of satellites, which are equipped with a suite of sophisticated instruments designed to capture a wide range of atmospheric and surface parameters. These include:
- **Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU)**: Measures atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles.
- **Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI)**: Provides high-resolution atmospheric temperature and humidity data.
- **Global Navigation Satellite System Receiver for Atmospheric Sounding (GRAS)**: Utilizes GNSS signals for atmospheric profiling.
- **Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT)**: Measures ocean surface wind vectors.
- **Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME-2)**: Monitors atmospheric ozone and other trace gases.
Operational Aspects
The EUMETSAT Polar System operates in a sun-synchronous orbit, allowing for consistent lighting conditions for the instruments onboard. This orbit ensures that the satellites pass over the same part of the Earth at the same local solar time, providing consistent data for longitudinal studies. The MetOp satellites have a nominal operational life of five years, with overlapping missions to ensure data continuity.
Data Processing and Dissemination
Data collected by the EPS satellites are transmitted to ground stations, where they undergo initial processing before being disseminated to users worldwide. EUMETSAT operates a network of ground stations and processing facilities to ensure timely delivery of data. The processed data are made available to meteorological services, research institutions, and other stakeholders through the EUMETCast system, which uses commercial telecommunication satellites for data distribution.
Applications and Impact
The data provided by the EUMETSAT Polar System are critical for various applications, including:
- **Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP)**: The high-resolution atmospheric profiles from EPS significantly enhance the accuracy of NWP models, leading to improved weather forecasts.
- **Climate Monitoring**: Long-term data records from the EPS contribute to climate change studies, helping scientists understand trends and variations in the Earth's climate system.
- **Environmental Monitoring**: The system provides valuable data for monitoring environmental phenomena such as El Niño, volcanic eruptions, and forest fires.
- **Oceanography**: ASCAT data are used to study ocean surface winds, which are crucial for understanding ocean circulation patterns and their impact on global climate.
International Collaboration
The EUMETSAT Polar System is part of a broader international effort to improve global meteorological observations. EUMETSAT collaborates with NOAA, the WMO, and other international partners to ensure the interoperability and complementarity of polar orbiting satellite systems. This collaboration is vital for maintaining a robust global observing system that supports weather forecasting and climate monitoring.
Future Developments
Looking ahead, EUMETSAT is planning the next generation of polar orbiting satellites, known as the MetOp Second Generation (MetOp-SG). These satellites will feature advanced instruments with enhanced capabilities, ensuring the continuity and improvement of data quality for the coming decades. The MetOp-SG program is expected to further strengthen Europe's position in global meteorological observations and contribute to the advancement of Earth system science.