Metop-C’s IASI instrument delivers first spectrum

A critical element of polar-orbiting meteorological satellite Metop-C's payload - the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) - delivered its first spectrum today. EUMETSAT's Metop-C was launched from the European Space Port in Kourou, French Guiana, on 7 November. Its instruments have been progressively switched on and tested. The IASI instrument was developed by the French Space Agency (CNES) and built by Thalès Alenia Space. on the vertical structure of the atmospheric temperature and humidity at an unprecedented accuracy and vertical resolution of 1km. The IASI also monitors concentrations of trace and greenhouse gases, such as ozone, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide, in the atmosphere. As Metop-C's 'sibling' spacecraft Metop-A and 'B are still fully operational, despite outlasting their design lifetime of five years, data from three IASI instruments will soon be available for use in weather forecasting and contribution to environmental and climate monitoring.