Cabinet of Hesse makes historic visit to EUMETSAT during a milestone year

The meeting of 11 ministers on the campus was a first for EUMETSAT in what will be an historic year for the organisation.

The first spacecraft in EUMETSAT’s next-generation of Meteosat meteorological satellites – essential for forecasting severe weather events such as destructive storms – is expected to be launched in November.

“From here in Darmstadt, EUMETSAT will control the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) satellites, process the data from their instruments and disseminate them to our 30 member states,” EUMETSAT Director of Administration Silvia Castañer said.

“The MTG system is one of the most complex and innovative meteorological satellite systems ever developed and will revolutionise the very short-range forecasting of severe weather in Europe.

“So we are delighted the Hessian Government has chosen EUMETSAT as the site to launch its space strategy, with its focus on innovation and promoting expertise in this region.”

EUMETSAT benefits from having its base in Darmstadt, the City of Science, its close proximity to ESA’s European Space Operations Centre and easy links to related businesses. Hesse has created the necessary environment for innovative and creative industries to thrive, with organisations like EUMETSAT contributing to and benefiting from this environment.