The "Meteosat" is run by EUMETSAT, part of
the controversial European Space Agency. EUMETSAT is an
intergovernmental organisation created through an international
convention agreed by 17 European Member States: Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland,
Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
There
are several "Meteosat's"; Meteosat-7, was launched
on 2 September 1997. A second generation of Meteosat's
are currently being worked on in Europe ensuring Meteosat
observations can be received well into the 21st century.
The first should be in action (if the Arianne space rocket
does not blow up) in 2003
Meteosat can transmit three types of images: Visible,
Infrared and Water Vapour.
Meteosat is 2.1 metres in diameter and 3.195 metres long.
Its mass in orbit is 282 kg. In orbit, the satellite spins
at 100 rpm around its main axis.
The primary mission of the Meteosat system is to generate
images of the earth, showing its cloud system both by
day and by night, day in day out, and to transmit these
images to the users in the shortest practical time.
If
you look at any satellite map of Europe, chances are that
it is from Meteosat (Meteorological Satellite). It is
a geostationary satellite, which means it stays above
the same part of the earth permanently. Such satellites
must of a special orbit - 42000km to be precise. This
means that Meteosat never goes below the 'horizon' and
so pictures can be received 24/7. The main Meteosat is
orbiting at 0 degrees on the equator although there is
a second at 63 degrees.