Airbus Defence and Space has signed a contract to build three MicroWave Sounder (MWS) instruments for the MetOp Second Generation (MetOp-SG) series of satellites. The contract, worth up to €155.5 million, has been awarded to Airbus in the UK and the satellites will be operated by EUMETSAT, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites.
Three MWS instruments will be built, each with a mission life of 7.5 years. One instrument will fly on each of the MetOp-SG A satellites ensuring accurate forecasting data until 2040 and beyond. The first MetOp-SG satellite is due to be launched in 2021. The team at Airbus in Portsmouth, UK, will develop the MWS instruments together with 20 major sub-contractors across the UK and Europe.
Airbus Defence and Space UK managing director, Colin Paynter said, “This contract is great news for the Portsmouth team and builds on our proven expertise in meteorological and space-borne instruments, as well as our world leading innovative technology on satellite payloads.”
Greg Clark, UK Minister for Universities, Science and Cities said, “This is a fantastic example of UK expertise in the development of world leading innovative satellite technologies and services. With a £32 million investment from the UK Space Agency this deal will help to create jobs and real return for the UK space sector and enable the MetOffice to provide precise weather forecasting.”