MSG Facts

MSG (Meteosat Second Generation) programme is a series of 4 recurrent spacecrafts.

MSG-4 is the last (fourth) spacecraft of the series still to be launched.

MSG1 Launched on 28/08/2002

MSG-2 launched on 22/12/2005

MSG-3 launched on 05/07/2012

The main MSG mission is this weather forecast (nowcasting) from Geostationary orbit.

MSG-4  in Thales Cannes during mass and center of inertia measurements

Specification for each spacecraft:

• Size: 2,4m high/3,2m diameter
• Dry Mass (without propellant): 1070kg
• Launch Mass: 2035 Kg (TBC)
• Power: 600Watts
• Bi-Propellant propulsion System (MON and MMH)
• Life time: 7 years in orbit, but in fact more...
• Main payload is an Imager called SEVIRI.(one full scan/picture every 15 minutes)
• The second payload is called GERB measuring Earth Radiation Budget

Source ESA