Since the Metop-A anomaly observed on 4 July 2007 when the AHRPT transmitter was observed to have autonomously switched off, our investigations with Astrium and ESA/ESTEC remained focussed on the status of the failed AHRPT sub-system. These investigations have thus far concluded that the failure on the nominal AHRPT is of a permanent, non-correctable nature and as such, the nominal AHRPT subsystem cannot be used for the remaining operational life-time of the Metop-A spacecraft.
EUMETSAT is now entering a phase in the investigations which turns the focus on the root cause and the potential life-time impact on the Metop-A AHRPT service. It is anticipated that these investigations will continue for several weeks to come. The baseline remains that until these investigations are completed, there will be no decision taken concerning the activation of the remaining redundant AHRPT sub-system.
EUMETSAT appreciates that on-going investigations will mean a continued loss of service for the global user community, but the priority is to understand the failure root cause and the life-time impact on the Metop-A satellite before a decision is taken to use the remaining redundant AHRPT subsystem.
