Meteosat second generation: on-ground calibration, characterisation and sensitivity analysis of SEVIRI imaging radiometer

The Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) programme consists of a series of 3 geostationary satellites, the objectives of which were defined by the European meteorological community led by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). The development and procurement of MSG is under the responsibility of ESA. Alcatel France leads an industrial consortium of more than 50 European companies which develop, manufacture, integrate and test the spacecraft. The main payload, the imaging radiometer called Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI), is developed by Matra Marconi Space France. The objective of the MSG programme is to provide a continuous and reliable collection of environmental data in support of weather forecasting and related services. A major element of this objective is fulfilled by the imaging mission, which corresponds to a continuous image taking of the earth using 12 channels with a baseline repeat cycle of 15 minutes, including the on-board calibration, the retrace and the overall satellite stabilisation process. The imaging tasks are performed by the SEVIRI. Provision is also made on-board to carry as a passenger the so-called GERB instrument (Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget). This paper will focus on the calibration, characterisation and sensitivity analysis of the SEVIRI radiometer/Imager.