NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

MetOp-A

Launch Time
Thu Oct 19, 2006 16:28 UTC

Flight ST-16.

Rocket

Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat
Image Credit: Roscosmos
Starsem
Status: Active
Price: $23.0 million
Liftoff Thrust: 4,550 kN
Payload to LEO: 7,020 kg
Payload to GTO: 2,810 kg
Stages: 4
Strap-ons: 4
Rocket Height: 46.94 m
Fairing Diameter: 4.11 m
Fairing Height: 10.2 m

Mission Details

MetOp-A

METOP (Meteorological Operational) is Europe's first polar-orbiting operational meteorological satellite. It is the European contribution to the Initial Joint Polar System (IJPS), a co-operative agreement between Eumetsat and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide data for climate and environmental monitoring and improved weather forecasting. The first Metop satellite was launched in 2006, with the other two following at five-year intervals. In total, the programmes will be operational for at least 14 years.

The Metop system will deliver valuable information on the atmosphere, land masses and sea surfaces for about 14 years – both during the day and at night. The satellites' main task is to measure the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere, but they will also observe clouds, measure the wind speed on the sea surface and monitor the ozone content of the atmosphere. Metop will also be able to collect data from ground and sea-based measuring stations and transmit rescue signals.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 4,244.0 kg
Sun-Synchronous Orbit

Location

Site 31/6, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

Stats

2006

47th orbital launch attempt

Soyuz 2.1a

2nd mission
1st mission of 2006
2nd successful mission