19 October 2006
20:22 CEST - Solar array deployment completed
19:35 CEST - Separation detection - Acquisition of signal from Malindi - Solar array deployment started.
18:37 CEST - Fregat engine ignition confirmed
18:28 CEST - MetOp launched
2h to launch, and the status of the spacecraft is 'Green'.
ESOC is 'Green', with the A-team taking station.
Weather is 'Green'.
Launcher fuelling is underway.
4h to launch, and the ESOC network countdown has begun. The dataflow tests for chain B of the network have been successfully completed. The weather is sunny and the results from the second weather probe are within limits. The Russian State Commission has authorised the launch vehicle fuelling. MetOp is 'Green' for launch at 18:28 CEST.
6h to launch, and the satellite flight software has been successfully loaded. The ESOC team has taken its position in the mission control room and the network countdown will begin shortly. The weather is sunny and the results from the first weather probe are within limits. The status of MetOp is ‘Green.’
9h 30m to launch, and the satellite has been switched up and is 'Green' for launch. The weather is sunny and the forecast is more promising than yesterday. A weather probe will be launched at 11:00 CEST.
18 October 2006
2h 35m in the countdown, and the MetOp launch has been postponed due to strong winds at high altitude, as confirmed by the weather probe launched around 15:00 CEST. The new launch attempt is scheduled for tomorrow Thursday 19 October at 18:28 CEST.
4h to launch, and final launch configuration telecommands have been loaded into the spacecraft. The ESOC network countdown continues. MetOp, the launcher and ESOC are 'Green' for launch. Forecast is still uncertain for launch, as the weather is overcast with a foreseen front crossing the cosmodrome at the scheduled time of launch. As a result, the Russian authorities are delaying the start of fuelling. The decision to proceed with the launch will be taken based on results provided by a weather probe launching shortly.
5h to launch, and final launch configuration telecommands are being loaded into the spacecraft. The ESOC network countdown has begun, and the dataflow tests for chain B of the network have been completed successfully. While MetOp, the launcher and ESOC are 'Green' for launch, the weather is overcast with a foreseen front crossing the cosmodrome at the time of the launch, so forecast is now uncertain for launch. Definite status to be provided soon.
7h to launch, and the satellite flight software has been successfully loaded. The ESOC team has taken its position in the mission control room. Weather conditions are good and spacecraft, launcher and ESOC are 'Green' for launch.
The countdown of the MetOp launch stopped 1m 10s before lift-off yesterday due to an anomaly related to the ground control system. The cause has been identified and corrected following overnight verifications. The new launch attempt will take place today Wednesday 18 October at 18:28 CEST (16:28 UTC; 22:28 Baikonur time).
17 October 2006
The launch of MetOp is postponed due to an anomaly which happened in the last 2 seconds before launch. More information will follow tomorrow. François Maroquene, Starsem, said "We had to stop the final countdown a few seconds before launch. It is impossible to launch today as we only have one launch opportunity per day. A team will analyse the situation and we will know in two or three hours if it is feasible to launch tomorrow."
1h to launch, and the launch vehicle fuelling has been completed. The gantry is being prepared for removal.
The spacecraft is in waiting mode. Weather is 'Green'. MetOp, the launcher and ESOC are 'Green' for launch.
3h 30m to launch, and the Russian State Commission has approved the readiness for launch and authorised the launch vehicle fuelling. The dataflow tests for chain A of the ESOC network have been completed successfully, so all the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) stations are ‘Green.’ The weather is overcast with no rain, and the forecast for launch is ‘Green.’ MetOp, the launcher and ESOC are 'Green' for launch.
4h 30m to launch, and final launch configuration telecommands have been loaded into the spacecraft. The Russian State Commission, which approves the readiness for launch and authorizes the launch vehicle fuelling, will convene shortly. The ESOC network countdown has begun, and the dataflow tests for chain B of the network have been successfully completed. The weather is overcast with light rain, and the forecast remains ‘Green’ for launch. The status of MetOp is ‘Green.’
5h 30m to launch, and the first set of checks between ESOC and the satellite has been successfully completed. The launcher team is now in place and the final launcher preparations have started with the installation of the flight hatches in the fairing. The weather is overcast with light rain, and the forecast for launch is ‘Green.’ MetOp, the launcher and ESOC are 'Green' for launch.
7h 10m to launch, and the satellite flight software has been successfully loaded on MetOp. The ESOC team has taken its position in the mission control room. The weather is overcast with light rain, and the forecast for launch is ‘Green.’ MetOp, the launcher and ESOC are 'Green' for launch.
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