Launch

Launch sequence


 
MetOp launch
 
MetOp-A was launched on a Soyuz/ST Fregat rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in October 2006. Almost six years after, MetOp-B is set for launch on the same launcher and from the same cosmodrome on 23 May 2012.

The launcher consists of three stages, all of which use liquid oxygen and kerosene as fuel. The four side boosters (Stage 1) and the central structure (Stage 2) ignite at the same time just before lift-off. About two minutes after launch, at an altitude of around 50 km, the four side boosters run out of fuel and are ejected.

About five minutes after launch, at an altitude of about 175 km,
Stage 2 runs out of fuel and separates. Immediately after, the two half-shells of the fairing are opened and released leaving Stage 3, the Fregat upper-stage and the MetOp spacecraft. About eight minutes after launch, Stage 3 separates leaving the Fregat and the satellite to continue their journey (Fregat coast phase) to MetOp's orbital altitude of 800 km above the surface of the Earth.

Once close to its orbital altitude, the spacecraft if orientated by the Fregat upper-stage to ensure that it is in a circular orbit. The Fregat is then released leaving the MetOp satellite in polar orbit.
  
 
  
Last update: 3 April 2012

 •  Operations & Situational Awareness (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Operations/index.html)

In depth

 •  Soyuz (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Launchers_Access_to_Space/SEM6JRS4LZE_0.html)

Related links

 •  Starsem (http://www.starsem.com)