ESA - Observing the Earth - Benefiting Our Economy - MetOp fuelled and pressurised

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MetOp fuelled and pressurised

4 July 2006

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After the tanks have been fuelled and pressurised MetOp leaves the Hazardous Processing Facility (HPF).

MetOp-A was launched on 19 October 2006 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, on a Soyuz ST rocket with a Fregat upper stage.

Credits: ESA - K. Büchler

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Special suits have to be worn for fuelling activites.

Credits: ESA - K. Büchler

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Cleaning inside the fairing during MetOp launch campaign. After integration with the Fregat upper-stage, MetOp is closed in the fairing and then integrated with the Soyuz launcher.

Credits: ESA - K. Büchler

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MetOp's launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

MetOp-A was launched on 19 October 2006 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, on a Soyuz ST rocket with a Fregat upper stage.

Credits: C. Simpson

Launch diary

MetOp launch status Europe's first polar-orbiting weather satellite ready for launch Integration of MetOp upper-composite and third-stage complete Safe arrival at the launch facility for MetOp MetOp encapsulated in fairing MetOp integrated with Fregat upper-stage MetOp launch campaign resumed MetOp to be launched in October Launch of MetOp-A postponed MetOp ready for launch Upper-composite transferred to launcher integration facility Last-ever look at MetOp MetOp joins Fregat upper-stage MetOp-A gets green light for 17 July launch date MetOp – last phase of testing before launch MetOp satellite shipped to Baikonur on 18 April

In depth

Soyuz launch vehicle Baikonur