EUMETSAT releases preliminary Metop data for atmospheric research

EUMETSAT has published a pre-operational release of global atmospheric measurements from the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer–New Generation (IASI-NG) on Metop Second Generation A1 (Metop-SGA1), dated October 7, 2026. The agency’s notice covers Level 1c full spectral radiance data and sets out distribution through EUMETCast Terrestrial and its Data Store. The satellite remains under commissioning, so the release is preliminary.

The notice lists netCDF and BUFR data formats. Data Store users can find netCDF products in collection EO:EUM:DAT:0442 and BUFR products in EO:EUM:DAT:0892; the latter has a rolling archive of one month. EUMETCast users are directed to register for IASI-NG Level 1 data and activate the TER-4 service.

IASI-NG observes infrared radiation from Earth to study the atmosphere. EUMETSAT’s October 2025 first-data account explains that absorption features in the measured spectrum identify molecules, including methane, carbon dioxide and ozone. The instrument is designed for meteorology, climate research and air-quality monitoring.

The first-data account described 16,921 spectral channels, allowing measurements at a selected infrared frequency to be compared across different locations. Those measurements support the extraction of temperature and humidity profiles at different altitudes. They extend the work of earlier IASI instruments on the first-generation Metop satellites; the new release concerns access to radiances rather than a published scientific conclusion.

EUMETSAT bases the pre-operational status on reported calibration checks. Its notice gives a geolocation performance of 390 metres against a 500-metre requirement and spectral calibration better than 0.5 parts per million. These are agency-reported instrument checks.

The release notice also warns that the data are still being tested and may be interrupted without notification. Users assume the risk of using them, and EUMETSAT does not warrant their fitness for a particular purpose. The agency directs users to its instrument data guide for known limitations.