MetOp-A launch diary   MetOp on the launch pad     In addition to its news coverage of the MetOp-A launch, ESA documented the behind-the-scenes events in a launch diary to provide readers with a unique view of the launch process. The launch diary begins with the satellite’s arrival at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in April then documents the scheduled inspections and events in preparation for the launch, first in July, with various launch attempts, and then again in October, providing up-to-the-minute updates and details on its successful launch on 19 October 2006.         Last update: 27 October 2006 Launch diary  •  MetOp launch status (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMTNI8A9HE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  Europe's first polar-orbiting weather satellite ready for launch (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEM7UVN7BTE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  Integration of MetOp upper-composite and third-stage complete (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMK4SV74TE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  Safe arrival at the launch facility for MetOp (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEM5RJV74TE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  MetOp encapsulated in fairing (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMXMFLKKSE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  MetOp integrated with Fregat upper-stage (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMWACVHESE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  MetOp launch campaign resumed (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMFZD8LURE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  MetOp to be launched in October (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMFM0JZBQE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  Launch of MetOp-A postponed (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMPPYAUQPE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  MetOp ready for launch (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMEXZDQMPE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  Upper-composite transferred to launcher integration facility (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMBFLWALPE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  Last-ever look at MetOp (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMXEHA6CPE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  MetOp joins Fregat upper-stage (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMZOGIO9PE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  MetOp fuelled and pressurised (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMDZRVT0PE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  MetOp-A gets green light for 17 July launch date (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMOGREFWOE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  MetOp – last phase of testing before launch (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMG70L8IOE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  MetOp satellite shipped to Baikonur on 18 April (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMIV1OFGLE_LPmetop_0.html) In depth  •  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)