The European Meteosat satellites are set in geostationary orbit 36000 km above the Gulf of Guinea, at the intersection of the meridian in Greenwich with the equator. Currently there are five active Meteosat satellites, two belonging to the new generation METEOSAT-9 (MSG2) and METEOSAT-8 (MSG1) and three of the older generation, METEOSAT-7 (MTP1), METEOSAT-6 (MOP3), METEOSAT-5 (MOP2). The satellites of this new generation, initiated with the Meteosat 8, which appeared first in January 2004, own technical characteristics that are much more advanced then the first generation satellites. The older satellites have been moved over the Atlantic Ocean at 57 and 67 East.

To view the infrared satellite animation click here