Eumetsat hopes its recent collaboration with Vito, the Flemish Institute for Technological Research, will result in a formal three-year agreement after a series of successful trials. The two organizations have teamed up and have completed a series of trials where Vito has successfully distributed vegetation monitoring data over the EumetCast data distribution platform.

EumetCast utilizes the services of a satellite operator and telecommunications provider to distribute data files using Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) technology. EumetCast reaches a wide audience located in Europe, all Eumetsat Member and Cooperating States and Africa.

Vito is an independent research center that conducts customer-oriented contract research. It develops products and processes in the fields of energy, environment and materials for both the public and the private sector. Eumetsat Director General Lars Prahm commented, “Eumetsat aims for EumetCast to be the satellite distribution system of choice for weather, climate and environmental data in Europe and Africa. We are pleased with the progress we have made with Vito.”