Following the official launch of the overall program two weeks ago, OHB-System AG and the prime contractor Thales Alenia Space today announced the signature of an Authorization To Proceed (ATP) for the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) system. This program, which is co-financed by the European Space Agency and the European meteorological organization EUMETSAT, will guarantee European access to space-acquired meteorological data until 2037.

The total project volume amounts to around EUR 1.3 billion, of which the OHB Group is responsible for close to EUR 750 million. The subcontract has an initial volume of EUR 21 million, covering development activities over the next six months.

MTG is a six-satellite system of four imaging satellites carrying imaging and lightning detection mission as well as two sounders satellites providing infrared and ultraviolet capabilities, for both climate and meteorological applications. The launch of the first MTG imaging satellite is currently planned in 2017, marking the beginning of the in-orbit lifetime of the imagery mission, followed by the launch of the first MTG sounding satellite in 2019.

OHB-System is in charge of the sounder mission, providing the two sounders satellites while its sister company Kayser-Threde provides the atmospheric sounders instruments. Furthermore, OHB-System will develop the six satellites' 3-axis stabilized common platforms.