MetOp-B launch

Europe’s latest meteorological satellite MetOp-B has been launched by a Russian Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

This is the second in the polar-orbiting spacecraft series of the Meteorological Operational (MetOp) satellite programme.

The vehicle’s upper stage manoeuvred to release the satellite into its orbital position more than an hour after the take-off at a height of 810km, over the Kerguelen Archipelago in the Indian Ocean.

Arianespace and its Starsem affiliate used the 2-1a version of the Soyuz/ST launcher for the 25th mission.

The satellite, which weighed 4,085 kg at the time of launch, will have a lifespan of five years and provide information on atmospheric temperatures and humidity, which is crucial for weather forecasts and climate monitoring.

Developed for European Meteorological Satellite’s (Eumetsat) polar satellite system, MetOp-B is currently under the control of ESA’s Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany.

Once the systems are tested thoroughly, the polar satellite system will be handed over to the Eumetsat for six months of commissioning of its payload before entering regular service with MetOp-A.

"The satellite, which weighed 4,085 kg at the time of launch, will have a lifespan of five years and provide information on atmospheric temperatures and humidity, which is crucial for weather forecasts and climate monitoring."

MetOp-A and B will orbit Earth in tandem, which will provide continuity in service without any interruptions in the data feed.

The latest satellite is equipped with 11 observing instruments from Europe, the US, Canada and France.

Meanwhile, MetOp-C, a third satellite, is currently being placed into storage and is scheduled to be launched between late 2016 and late 2018.

MetOp spacecraft are procured by the European Space Agency (ESA) for Eumetsat from an Astrium-led European industrial consortium. The programme’s main partners are National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in US and French space agency CNES.

In addition to weather monitoring, the MetOp satellites help in ESA’s efforts on climate watch, which includes studying Earth and its atmosphere.

Image: MetOp-B will ensure continuity of weather and atmospheric monitoring service provided by its predecessor Metop-A. Photo: courtesy of EUMETSAT.