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EPS is a programme of Earth observation for Meteorology and weather forecast. The satellite is called METOP. EPS/METOP is managed by the European organisation EUMETSAT. Placed on a polar orbit, the satellite sends picture of the whole Earth.
EPS-SG is the Second Generation of this programme. (respectively the satellite is METOP-SG)
Activities are on-going (Aug. 2012) for the definition of the follow-on EUMETSAT Polar System, to replace the current satellite system in the 2020 timeframe and contribute to the Joint Polar System to be set up with NOAA. Through consultation with users and application experts, requirements have been defined for a range of candidate missions mainly in support of operational meteorology and climate monitoring. A number of on-board instruments, satellite platforms and ground support infrastructure are under study in coordination with ESA, NOAA, DLR and CNES. The satellites will fly, like Metop, in a sun synchronous, low earth orbit at 817 km altitude and 09:30 local time of the descending node, providing observations over the full globe with revisit times of 12 to 24 hours, depending on instrument. Feasibility studies are on-going with the main objective to define the baseline configuration for subsequent detailed design, development and operation programmes to be proposed and coordinated within the involved organisations. Started in 2005 under the name of Post-EPS, the activities will enter in 2012 the design and development phases under a new programme: EPS Second Generation (EPS-SG).
