SpaceTech is looking forward to the Sentinel-5 launch
The launch of the EUMETSAT MetOp-SG-A1 satellite, which carries the Copernicus Sentinel-5 Ultraviolet Visible Near-infrared Short-wave infrared (UVNS) instrument, is scheduled for August 12, 2025, local time 9:37 p.m. (Berlin time August 13, 2025 at 02:37 a.m.) with an Ariane 6 rocket from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
SpaceTech and Micos have designed an important component for the UVNS instrument: the Calibration Subsystem CAS.
The first of three CAS flight models supplied will now fly on MetOp-SG-A1 and perform its task in sun-synchronous polar orbit at an altitude of 823-848 km for the next 20 years. CAS ensures accurate measurement results from day one and after many years of use.
Mission objective
MetOp-SG-A1 is the first satellite of the second generation of European polar-orbiting weather satellites - EUMETSAT Polar System – Second Generation (EPS-SG) programme. It will play a key role in monitoring weather, climate, and atmospheric composition.
The integrated Sentinel-5 instrument is developed and integrated by the instrument prime Airbus will contribute in particular to the measurement of air pollutants such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and methane - a key contribution to climate observation and air quality monitoring in Europe and worldwide.
Global cooperation
EPS-SG is Europe’s contribution to the Joint Polar System (JPS) shared with the USA’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
EPS-SG is developed in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA). The MetOp-SG satellites are developed under ESA contract by a European industrial consortium led by the instrument prime Airbus Defence and Space.
