During the night of August 12 to 13, 2025, Ariane 6 launched the Metop-SGA1 satellite from EUMETSAT into orbit, dedicated to meteorology and climate monitoring. On board: the IASI-NG instrument, developed by the CNES, for which Bertin Technologies supplied cutting-edge equipment.

MetOp-SGA1: A new era for space meteorology

Installed on the MetOp meteorological satellite, the IASI-NG instrument is designed to measure the spectrum of atmospheric emissions to obtain temperature and humidity profiles with high vertical resolution and precision (twice that of its predecessor: IASI, currently in operation). In addition to the continuous measurement of atmospheric spectra in the infrared, IASI-NG will also allow for the study of climate and a better understanding of dynamic and chemical processes in the atmosphere, enabling the monitoring of pollution and air quality as well as the prediction of extreme weather events.

Bertin Technologies’ Advanced Equipment

Between 2018 and 2022, Bertin Technologies supplied two flight-grade components and one ground optical test bench (OGSE) to Airbus Defense and Space for the IASI-NG instrument.

The OFL (Optical Fiber Link)

The first is the OFL (Optical Fiber Link), which functions to measure the optical paths traveled by light received from Earth through the IASI-NG interferometer. This innovative interferometer is responsible for the increased measurement accuracy of IASI–NG compared to its predecessor, IASI. The OFL plays a critical role as it is directly integrated into the instrument’s image acquisition chain. Its missions include:

  • Transmitting light from a single source through a specially developed fiber optic coupler to five optical measurement paths.
  • Ensuring the emission and reception of the OFL’s optical measurement beams with high pointing stability through collimation optics.

It also transmits the signals received after passing through the interferometer to detectors via fiber optics compatible with space use.

The SWFS (Source of the Wave Front Sensor)

The second is the SWFS (Source of the Wave Front Sensor), a calibration system for wavefront analyzers. The SWFS system must be highly stable in wavelength and optical power. For this project, Bertin Technologies was commissioned by ADS to design, manufacture, and test the system. The main challenges for Bertin Technologies were to create a system with high wavelength and power stability, embedding electronics, and resistant to the harsh conditions of space: extreme temperature variations, vibrations, solar radiation, etc.

The OGSE PESCA (Performance Spectral Calibration)

The third is the OGSE PESCA (Performance Spectral Calibration). ADS commissioned Bertin Technologies to design, develop, manufacture, deliver, assemble on site, and perform validation tests of the OGSE PeSCa. Designed to assess the performance of the IFA and IFM equipment, the OGSE PeSCa consists of two parts: a source unit and a detection unit.

  • The main objective of the detection unit is to return the light signal emitted by the IFA to the flight detector using a precisely aligned and cooled opto-mechanical system.
  • The source unit, on the other hand, is equipped with several light sources that can be alternately selected and directed towards the IFA input to carry out various qualification tests for the IASI-NG instrument.

Bertin Technologies and its teams are proud to have been selected by the prime contractor Airbus Defense and Space to supply new high-tech equipment for the second-generation MetOp satellites.