Central computer and camera cover for new European weather satellite

On Tuesday, July 1, the European weather satellite Meteosat Third Generation Sounder-1 was launched into space. This new generation of European weather satellites is set to bring weather forecasting capabilities to the next level. The weather satellite was launched from Florida, USA. In total, six MTG satellites will be sent to space, the first MTG satellite was launched in December 2022. “Key technology from us enables the functioning of the world’s most advanced satellite-based weather data system. Our computer controls the satellite, our thermal insulation protects it from cold and heat in space and various mechanisms from us guarantee a smooth operation of the satellite”, says Oliver Grassmann, Executive Vice President Satellites at Beyond Gravity. “Weather forecasts are of the utmost importance to modern society. This new satellite for example, will allow to save valuable time in providing warnings ahead of heavy rainfall.” Built by OHB System AG, MTG-S1 carries Europe’s first hyperspectral infrared sounding instrument designed for geostationary orbit.

Central satellite computer 

The central computer of the in total six Meteosat Third Generation satellites were developed and built at Beyond Gravity’s site in Gothenburg, Sweden. “The computer’s main task is to control and, if necessary, correct the satellite’s position with the aid of numerous control and measurement systems,” explains Oliver Grassmann. Beyond Gravity also developed and produced the Data Distribution Unit, which processes and sends down all the instrument data via Ka-band, and S-bands antennas for transmitting telecommands and telemetry.

Thermal insulation

The weather satellite is wrapped in thermal insulation from Beyond Gravity to protect it from the high temperature fluctuations of plus/minus 200 degrees Celsius in space. The insulation consists of several layers of very thin metal-coated plastic and was produced in Berndorf, Austria. “Only this multilayer insulation can keep the interior of the satellites at a uniform temperature level, and thus guarantee the smooth functioning of the instruments on board,” says Dominik Inschlag, Director Marketing & Sales for Thermal and Mechanisms.

Mechanisms align the solar arrays towards the sun

The precise alignment of the solar panels for optimum power supply to the satellite is achieved by a mechanism from Beyond Gravity’s site in Zurich. Furthermore, Beyond Gravity delivered refocusing mechanisms from Vienna to ensure that the satellite’s instruments regain an optimal, sharp sight after the high vibrations during the rocket launch.

Camera cover

Beyond Gravity delivered a high-tech cover of a huge “sun visor” for MTG. The sun visor or camera cover (Solar Baffle Cover Assembly) has a diameter of about one meter and protects the satellite’s instruments from contamination during launch. Once in orbit the cover opens up once, and then remains locked in the open position. The camera cover was developed and produced at the company’s site in Vienna, Austria.

Scanner system for air quality instrument Sentinel-4

The Sentinel-4 instrument will monitor air quality over Europe. The instrument sits on the Meteosat Third Generation Sounder satellite and will send hourly data on air quality and air pollution. At its site in Zurich, Beyond Gravity developed the Sentinel-4 scanner subsystem. Sentinel-4 uses a high resolution Ultra-Violet and Near Infra-Red (UVN) sounder. As the instantaneous field of view is a slit on the earth, this kind of instruments needs to scan the scene in order to acquire an image. In contrast to Low Earth Orbit missions, where the instrument platform provides the scan motion with respect to the scene, UVN is operating in a geostationary orbit (GEO) from a 3-axis stabilized platform. This configuration demands a highly accurate mechanical scanner. 

Scanner subsystem

The scanner will perform a 19 degree east-west scan to acquire the scene images. A second scan axis with 14 degree motion capability is needed in addition to allowing locating the scan area at different latitudes and to e.g. support platform yaw flip manoeuvres. Beyond Gravity was responsible for the scanner subsystem, which was delivered to OHB and then to Airbus Defence & Space for integration into the instrument. The Sentinel-4 mission is part of the European Union’s Copernicus program.

MTG: Four imaging satellites, two sounder satellites

The Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) satellite fleet consists of in total six satellites, two sounder satellites (like the current one now to be launched) and four imaging satellites. The satellites will ensure the continuity of data from geostationary orbit, 36 000 km above Earth. 

About MTG: Latest generation of European weather satellites

Meteosat Third Generation is a cooperation between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (Eumetsat). ESA is responsible for the definition and implementation of the MTG satellites, while Eumetsat is in charge of operating the satellites. Thales Alenia Space France is the overall prime contractor and responsible for the Imager Satellites, OHB System AG is prime for the MTG Sounder Mission and responsible for all six platforms of the overall MTG system and the four units of the telescope assembly of the Flexible Combined Imager. 

To learn more about Meteosat Third Generation, visit: https://www.eumetsat.int/meteosat-third-generation

Images

Image 1: The weather satellite Meteosat Third Generation is controlled by a computer and protected by thermal insulation from Beyond Gravity. Copyright: ESA/Mlabspace. 

Image 2: Beyond Gravity produced a high-tech camera cover for Meteosat Third Generation. Copyright: Beyond Gravity, Anna Rauchenberger. 

Image 3: Meteosat Third Generation Sounder-1 (MTG-S1) and the Copernicus Sentinel-4 mission have launched on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral in Florida, US. Lift-off was on 1 July 2025 at 23:04 CEST (17:04 local time). © SpaceX/Eumetsat. 

Videos
Video of the Beyond Gravity scanner subsystem for the Sentinel-4 instrument © Beyond Gravity

Animation of the weather satellite © Eumetsat

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