MetOp-A launch highlights


ESOC Main Control Room
 
ESOC during MetOp launch
 
 
MetOp, Europe's first polar-orbiting satellite dedicated to operational meteorology, was launched on 19 October 2006 at 18:28 CEST from Baikonur Cosmodrome, in Kazakhstan.


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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.
 
 
  
Last update: 28 September 2007

 •  MetOp (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/LPmetop.html)
 •  Story in pictures (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMAEHO7BTE_LPmetop_0.html)

Special features

 •  MetOp-A launch (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMGI9BUQPE_LPmetop_0.html)

Related articles

 •  Europe’s new MetOp weather satellite reaches polar orbit (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMNKWAUQPE_LPmetop_0.html)
 •  MetOp: ESA controllers ready for critical launch and early orbit phase (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMPAUN7BTE_LPmetop_0.html)
 •  New launch date for Europe’s first polar-orbiting weather satellite (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEM8AW7LURE_LPmetop_0.html)

In depth

 •  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)