Europe contributes to the global weather watch
The European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (Eumetsat) have recently signed a contract with Matra Marconi Space for the development and production of a series of three Metop satellites. Metop is the first European polar orbiting satellite dedicated to operational meteorology and climate monitoring. The Metop satellite series will provide complementary sounding and imagery data, covering most of the globe every day. The first spacecraft in the series is scheduled for launch in 2003.