Experiencing Satellite Infrared Sounding Missions Developments for Geostationary Orbit Weather Predictions the Case of Meteosat Third Generation

The Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) Program is a EUMETSAT geostationary satellite mission. The satellites are developed and procured by the European Space Agency (ESA). It will ensure the future continuity with, and enhancement of, operational meteorological (and climate) data from Geostationary Orbit as currently provided by the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) system. The MTG satellites series is composed of 4 MTG-I (Horizontal 2D Imagery) and 2 MTG-S (Horizontal and Vertical Sounding 3D) to bring to the meteorological community a continuous Imagery and Sounding capabilities with high spatial, spectral and temporal resolution observations and geophysical parameters of the Earth based on state-of-the-art sensors.This invited paper will address the impact of the geostationary sounding and what a game changer it will be for weather forecasting.