The Ariane 6 rocket successfully placed the first next-generation meteorological satellite, Metop-SGA1, into a sun-synchronous orbit from the Kourou launch site in French Guiana.

This was reported by the launch operator ArianeSpace.

The launch occurred on August 12 at 21:37 local time.

Among the six instruments onboard, one is dedicated to atmospheric monitoring under the European Union's Sentinel-5 program, Copernicus.

The European Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, congratulated everyone involved in the project, stating that a new era in atmospheric observation has begun.

“This achievement highlights our commitment to ensuring Europe’s independent and reliable access to space, as well as supporting an ambitious environmental mission that will provide advanced data for weather and climate monitoring,” said ArianeSpace CEO David Kawailes.

This launch marks the second commercial flight for the Ariane 6 rocket, developed under the European Space Agency.

The CEO of EUMETSAT, the organization that will operate the satellite, Phil Evans, stated: “Extreme weather events have cost Europe hundreds of billions of euros and thousands of lives over the last 40 years — hurricanes, heat waves, and wildfires are just recent reminders. The launch of Metop-SGA1 is a significant step forward in providing national meteorological services in our member states with clearer tools to save lives, protect property, and enhance resilience against climate crises.”

Metop-SGA1 will transmit data necessary for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and provide a wide range of other services.

The satellite will carry out a new atmospheric monitoring mission under Sentinel-5, part of the Copernicus program.

The spacecraft was constructed by Airbus Defence and Space under a contract with the European Space Agency and will be operated throughout its lifetime by EUMETSAT, which will also distribute the satellite data to users.