MetOp launched 19 October 2006   MetOp, Europe's first polar-orbiting satellite dedicated to operational meteorology, has been launched at 18:28 CEST from Baikonur Cosmodrome, in Kazakhstan. Status reports at www.esa.int/metop       MetOp, renamed 'MetOp-A' after launch, is the first in a series of three satellites, developed as part of a joint undertaking between ESA and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), whereby MetOp forms the space segment of EUMETSAT's Polar System (EPS).     MetOp represents the European contribution to a new cooperative venture with the United States providing data to monitor climate and improve weather forecasting.          •  MetOp (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/LPmetop.html) In depth  •  Launch diary (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMNREPFHTE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  Operations & Situational Awareness (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Operations/index.html)  •  Soyuz launch vehicle (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ESA_Permanent_Mission_in_Russia/SEMAM1X4QWD_0.html)  •  Baikonur (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ESA_Permanent_Mission_in_Russia/SEMRSA1XDYD_0.html) Related links  •  EUMETSAT (http://www.eumetsat.int)  •  EADS-Astrium (http://www.space.eads.net/)  •  Starsem (http://www.starsem.com)  •  NOAA (http://www.noaa.gov)  •  CNES (http://www.cnes.fr/html/_455_.php)