Форум Новости Космонавтики

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186020.jpg)Paul Counet‏ @PaulCounet (https://twitter.com/PaulCounet) 9 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/PaulCounet/status/986188020243189760)

Today @eumetsat (https://twitter.com/eumetsat) and its partners @ESA_EO (https://twitter.com/ESA_EO), @CNES (https://twitter.com/CNES) and @NOAASatellites (https://twitter.com/NOAASatellites) are in @AirbusDefence (https://twitter.com/AirbusDefence) to see #metop (https://twitter.com/hashtag/metop?src=hash)-C in clean room. Next @eumetsat (https://twitter.com/eumetsat) launch planned on September 20.
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Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186177.jpg)ESA EarthObservation‏Подлинная учетная запись @ESA_EO (https://twitter.com/ESA_EO) 7 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/ESA_EO/status/986211326925078528)

Looking fab #MetOp (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MetOp?src=hash) C! After #Sentinel3 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sentinel3?src=hash), the next launch will be this meteorological satellite tasked to improve global weather forecasting & climate monitoring (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125535.png)(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125312.png) http://bit.ly/2qHPBwu  (https://t.co/sEYe53I9NC) @eumetsat (https://twitter.com/eumetsat)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186009.jpg)EUMETSAT‏ @eumetsat (https://twitter.com/eumetsat) 10 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/eumetsat/status/986173204350799873)

Hello, Metop-C! Jean-Paul Gardelle of @Airbus (https://twitter.com/Airbus) talks to press inside the clean room this morning. #Metop (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Metop?src=hash) #Toulouse (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Toulouse?src=hash) #Airbus (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Airbus?src=hash)
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Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186009.jpg)EUMETSAT‏ @eumetsat (https://twitter.com/eumetsat) 7 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/eumetsat/status/986212271151026176)

Karl-Otto Hienerwadel and Jean-Paul Gardelle of @AirbusDefence (https://twitter.com/AirbusDefence) talk to the press inside the Airbus clean room. The Metop-C satellite carries a dedicated, sophisticated suite of meteorological instruments that provide data crucial for weather forecasting and climate monitoring!
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Цитировать(https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/976113190198226946/3cDD8PUX_bigger.jpg)Espace & Exploration‏ @spaceexplore (https://twitter.com/spaceexplore) 10 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/spaceexplore/status/986177395572006912)

#MetopA (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MetopA?src=hash) et #MetopB (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MetopB?src=hash) ont été envoyés depuis #Baïkonour (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ba%C3%AFkonour?src=hash) au #Kazakhstan (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kazakhstan?src=hash) mais #MetopC (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MetopC?src=hash) décollera depuis le #CSG (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CSG?src=hash) #Guyane (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Guyane?src=hash) le 19 sept prochain @esa (https://twitter.com/esa) @AirbusSpace (https://twitter.com/AirbusSpace) @eumetsat (https://twitter.com/eumetsat)

ЦитироватьAirbus-built MetOp-C weather satellite gets ready for launch
17 April 2018

As a threefold fleet of EUMETSAT´s polar orbiting meteo satellites, MetOp measurements will further improve weather forecast and climate resarch

Airbus is preparing the next generation of weather satellites, MetOp-SG (Second Generation)

Toulouse, 17/04/2018 – The MetOp-C meteorological satellite is getting ready for upcoming launch in order to join its siblings and further improve the quality of observations and data provided for weather forecast.

Built by Airbus, MetOp-C is the last of the first generation of EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS) series of three polar-orbiting satellites, and is planned to be launched on September 18, 2018, from European Space Center in Kourou, French Guyana, aboard a Soyuz rocket.

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The MetOp programme has enhanced the accuracy of weather forecasting and allowed extending the short term forecasts by one day.

"MetOp satellites are technologically advanced and their instruments are still state-of-the-art," said EUMETSAT Director-General Alain Ratier. "We are in the fortunate and unexpected position soon having three MetOp's in orbit at the same time, because MetOp-A, which was launched in 2006, has exceeded its five-year design life time by far and will remain in orbit until 2022."

"Building on the successful operation and exceptional longevity of the MetOp satellites, we are still happy to have been entrusted the preparation of MetOp-SG, the next generation of Low Earth Orbit Meteorological satellites for EUMETSAT and ESA", said Mathilde Royer Germain, Head of Earth Observation, Navigation and Science at Airbus, during a presentation of the satellite to the press.

The MetOp satellites have been developed by Airbus Defence and Space for the European Space Agency (ESA) and EUMETSAT, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, and are part of a joint Europe-US cooperation.

Initially, the plan was for each satellite to replace its predecessor, however, the excellent performance of the first two MetOp satellites allows them to be operated simultaneously, providing the meteorological community with increased data. The forthcoming launch of MetOp-C will further improve the quality of observations and data provided for weather forecasts.

Each MetOp satellite carries a total of 12 instruments (10 for MetOp-C), making the system extremely versatile. Two of the instruments have been built by Airbus: the Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS) and the Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT). The MHS, built by Airbus, measures water vapour near the Earth's surface and is a result of the collaboration with the US.

Two additional microwave humidity sounders are already flying on US NOAA satellites, delivering matching data from a different orbit to enhance weather models.

The other Airbus-built instrument, the "Advanced Scatterometer" (ASCAT) is an active radar instrument which measures wind speed and direction over the open sea. It also provides data for ice and snow coverage as well as surface moisture. ASCAT will scan two 500 kilometres wide corridors and can, therefore, provide almost global coverage within 24 hours.

MetOp also measures ocean surface winds, observes sea ice distribution and monitors the ozone layer in the stratosphere, as well as relaying meteorological measurements collected by boats, buoys and research stations. MetOp A and B also feature a receiver to relay signals sent by persons in distress.

In addition to the expected benefits on weather forecasting, MetOp-C will continue the time series of data begun by MetOp-A, and this long-term outlook is crucial for climate monitoring.

Under development at Airbus, the MetOp-SG will provide continuity and enhancement of meteorological data with improved spectral and spatial resolution compared to the measurements currently provided by the first generation of MetOp satellites. A complete range of observations will be realised using 10 different instruments, covering ultra-violet, visible, infrared and microwave spectral bands.

From 2021 onwards, MetOp-SG will further increase the benefits of accurate weather prediction based on state-of-the-art European technologies and keep contributing to socio-economic benefits worth several billion Euros for European citizens.

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Цитировать (https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/740932957309947906/eyELdt9o_bigger.jpg)  Stéphane Israël‏ @arianespaceceo (https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo)  3 ч.3 часа назад (https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/1012708707283718144)
The payload for #Arianespace (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Arianespace?src=hash)'s next #Soyuz (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Soyuz?src=hash) mission has arrived in French Guiana! Metop-C, delivered via cargo jetliner, is part of the Meteorological Operational Polar Satellite (#Metop (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Metop?src=hash)) joint effort between @eumetsat (https://twitter.com/eumetsat), @esa (https://twitter.com/esa), @CNES (https://twitter.com/CNES) and @NOAA (https://twitter.com/NOAA). #VS19 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/VS19?src=hash)
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ЦитироватьМОСКВА, 26 июн — РИА Новости. Сразу три запуска российских ракет-носителей "Союз-СТ" планируется осуществить с европейского экваториального космодрома Куру (Гвианский космический центр) до конца 2018 года, сообщил РИА Новости источник в космической отрасли.
"Запуск европейского метеоспутника MetОp-С предварительно назначен на 6 октября. Затем в ноябре планируется вывести на орбиту итальянский космический аппарат CSG-1. Пусковую кампанию 2018 года, как ожидается, завершит первый пуск "Союза-СТ" с тестовыми мини-спутниками в интересах компании OneWeb- оператора спутникового интернета", — сказал он.
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Спутники MetOp

Космические аппараты серии MetOp представляют собой комплекс метеорологических спутников, которые находятся на полярной орбите на расстоянии порядка 800 километров от поверхности Земли. Первый спутник серии, MetOp-А был запущен 19 октября 2006 года, а второй, MetOp-B, — 17 сентября 2012 года. Обе "метеорологические станции" успешно работают на орбите с момента запуска.
Спутники MetOp – универсальные устройства. В частности, их инфракрасный сканер обеспечивает получение точных трехмерных данных о температуре и влажности в атмосфере Земли. Приближающиеся грозы могут быть выявлены за несколько часов до начала. Аппараты могут также собирать данные о парниковых газах, например, об углекислом газе, угарном газе или метане, основываясь на информации 8,4 тысячи спектральных каналов. Спутники MetOp позволяют осуществлять измерение силы ветров над поверхностью океанов, наблюдение за перемещениями айсбергов и мониторинг озонового слоя стратосферы. Кроме того, комплекс MetOp передает измерительные данные морских судов, буев и исследовательских станций, а также сигналы от людей, находящихся в бедствии.

Цитировать"Один из пусков ракеты "Союз", вероятно, переходит на 2019-й год. Если это так, то останется два пуска "Союзов" до конца года: во второй половине сентября MetOp-С, а в ноябре — OneWeb", — отметил собеседник агентства.

ЦитироватьPIN пишет:
Не ранее 6 ноября. Ранее ветрено слишком.

ЦитироватьEurope's next polar-orbiting weather satellite is in French Guiana readying for liftoff on top of a Russian-built Soyuz launcher in November.
Launch of the MetOp C weather observatory is currently expected around Nov. 6, and the target launch date should be confirmed in the coming weeks.

ЦитироватьArianespace aims for busy second half of 2018
July 3, 2018 (https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/07/) | Stephen Clark (https://spaceflightnow.com/author/stephen-clark/)

Europe's first mission to Mercury, a quartet of Galileo navigation spacecraft, a global winds observatory, and a new European weather satellite have arrived at an equatorial launch base in French Guiana in preparation for launches in the coming months.

The set of European missions are set to ride into space aboard four rockets, amid several more commercial flights carrying communications satellites to orbit, in what is shaping up to be a busy second half of the year for Arianespace, the French company which oversees Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega launch operations at the European-run spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

The rapid-fire launch campaigns are already underway at the space center on the northeastern coast of South America, where technicians are preparing rocket and satellite hardware for liftoff.

European weather satellite launch expected in November

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Europe's next polar-orbiting weather satellite is in French Guiana readying for liftoff on top of a Russian-built Soyuz launcher in November.

Launch of the MetOp C weather observatory is currently expected around Nov. 6, and the target launch date should be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Built by Airbus Defense and Space, MetOp C is the third in a series of European weather satellites designed to monitor atmospheric conditions, clouds and storms, snow and ice cover, ocean temperatures and winds.

The MetOp satellites fly over Earth in a "morning" orbit, observing global weather conditions around 9:30 a.m. local time on each lap around the planet. Eumetsat, the European weather satellite agency, has a data-sharing agreement with NOAA, which flies similar U.S. weather satellites in an orbit with afternoon coverage.

The combined data from the European and U.S. weather satellites feed into numerical weather prediction models, which help meteorologists develop forecasts of up to 10 days.

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The MetOp C weather satellite was unpacked from its shipping container after arrival in French Guiana in June. Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace – Photo Optique Video du CSG – S. Martin

MetOp C is the last of Eumetsat's current generation of polar-orbiting weather satellites, and it will replace the MetOp B satellite launched in 2012. The first spacecraft in Europe's MetOp-Second Generation program is scheduled for launch in 2021.

Three Antonov airplane shipments delivered MetOp C, its solar array and ground support equipment to French Guiana from Europe last month.

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ЦитироватьNov. 6/7 • Soyuz • MetOp C
Launch time: Approx. 0047 GMT on 7th (8:47 p.m. EDT on 6th)
 Launch site: ELS, Sinnamary, French Guiana

ЦитироватьИсточник сообщил о переносе пуска "Союза" с метеоспутником MetOp-С из Куру

14:06 05.07.2018 (обновлено: 14:17 05.07.2018)

МОСКВА, 5 июл — РИА Новости. Намечавшийся ранее на 6 октября 2018 года запуск "Союза-СТ" с метеоспутником MetOp-С с европейского экваториального космодрома Куру (Гвианский космический центр, ГКЦ) будет перенесен на ноябрь, сообщил РИА Новости источник в отрасли.

"Запуск предварительно переносится на месяц в связи с прогнозируемыми в октябре неблагоприятными метеоусловиями в верхних слоях атмосферы Земли", — отметил собеседник агентства.

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Космические аппараты серии MetOp представляют собой комплекс метеорологических спутников, которые находятся на полярной орбите на расстоянии порядка 800 километров от поверхности Земли. Первый спутник серии, MetOp-А, был запущен 19 октября 2006 года, а второй, MetOp-B — 17 сентября 2012 года. Обе "метеорологические станции" успешно работают на орбите с момента запуска.

Спутники MetOp — универсальные устройства. В частности, их инфракрасный сканер обеспечивает получение точных трехмерных данных о температуре и влажности в атмосфере Земли. Приближающиеся грозы могут быть выявлены за несколько часов до начала. Аппараты могут также собирать данные о парниковых газах, например, об углекислом газе, угарном газе или метане, основываясь на информации 8,4 тысячи спектральных каналов. Спутники MetOp позволяют осуществлять измерение силы ветров над поверхностью океанов, наблюдение за перемещениями айсбергов и мониторинг озонового слоя стратосферы. Кроме того, комплекс MetOp передает измерительные данные морских судов, буев и исследовательских станций, а также сигналы от людей, находящихся в бедствии.

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Цитироватьtnt22 пишет:
Запуск предварительно переносится на месяц в связи с прогнозируемыми в октябре неблагоприятными метеоусловиями в верхних слоях атмосферы Земли

Цитировать

Posted on July 9, 2018 by Mariangela (http://blogs.esa.int/eolaunches/author/mariangela/)

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METOP-C CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF

The MetOp-C launch campaign has kicked off with the first of three Antonovs landing at Cayenne Airport, French Guiana on 20 June.

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First Antonov landing (ESA)

The cargo aircraft transported 11 containers of equipment for ground support and IT-infrastructure. The second Antonov carrying the two main modules of the spacecraft, the Service Module and the Payload Module, followed a few days later. And the third flight brought the solar array.

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Second Antonov at Cayenne airport (ESA)

This is in preparation for the launch later this year of the third polar-orbiting MetOp satellite, MetOp-C.
The first two satellites, MetOp-A and -B were launched in 2006 and 2012 respectively and are improving weather forecasts thanks to their ability, among other features, to measure temperature and humidity profiles from a relatively close 800 km-altitude orbit.

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Unloading MetOp-C (ESA)

Launching a new satellite every 5–6 years guarantees a continuous delivery of high-quality data for medium- and long-term weather forecasting and climate monitoring until at least 2023.

The launch of MetOp-C will ensure that these observations will also be available on a daily basis in the future.

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Цитировать

Posted on August 3, 2018 by Honora (http://blogs.esa.int/eolaunches/author/honora/)

METOP-C: SATELLITE IS WHOLE

Following the arrival of the MetOp-C at Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, in the first week of July, the team has been busy testing and preparing the satellite for launch.

While activities are currently running on schedule, they will put on hold in mid-August and resume in mid-September because the launch date has been moved from 20 September to 6 November.

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Nevertheless, almost a month into the campaign to launch MetOp-C, much has already been achieved.

Since the satellite was shipped in three parts (the 'service module', the 'payload module' and the solar array), the two main bodies of the satellite have been reunited and tested.

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Coupling the MetOp-C service module and the payload module. (EUMETSAT)

Over the last week or so, the team has been concentrating on adding the huge solar array to the satellite structure.

This is no mean feat as everything has to be aligned perfectly and then the tension has to be correct before being attached properly. The large array, which weighs in at over 200 kg, will be gently deployed when MetOp-C is in orbit. This procedure takes around 15 minutes and happens in two stages: the solar array arm first rotates and then the large eight-section panel opens out to face the Sun.

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Working on the solar array. (Airbus)

The MetOp satellites are big, in fact, after Envisat, they are the largest Earth-observation satellites built in Europe.

With the alignment done and array attached, the MetOp-C is complete and the team is focusing on checking all the electrical connections. With the campaign soon breaking off for a month, the team will also be preparing the satellite for this dormant period.

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Checking connections. (ESA)

MetOp-C is the third polar-orbiting satellite in the Meteorological Operational satellite programme. This programme was procured by ESA for Eumetsat, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites.

The series of MetOp satellites carry a host of sensitive instruments to measure a wide range of variables such as temperature and humidity, wind speed and direction over oceans, ozone and other atmospheric gases. The first two satellites were launched in 2006 and 2012.

The launch of MetOp-C in November will continue the success story of the most important set of sensors for weather prediction in space today.

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Цитировать(https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/740932957309947906/eyELdt9o_bigger.jpg)Stéphane Israël‏ @arianespaceceo (https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo) 4 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/1029031858628120577)

5 satellites at Spaceport for upcoming #Arianespace (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Arianespace?src=hash) flights w/ #Vega (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vega?src=hash), #Ariane5 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ariane5?src=hash) & #Soyuz (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Soyuz?src=hash): #Aeolus (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Aeolus?src=hash) (@ESA_EO (https://twitter.com/ESA_EO)); #BepiColombo (https://twitter.com/hashtag/BepiColombo?src=hash) (@esascience (https://twitter.com/esascience)); #MetOpC (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MetOpC?src=hash) (@ESA_EO (https://twitter.com/ESA_EO)); #AZERSPACE2 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AZERSPACE2?src=hash) (@AzercosmosOJSCo (https://twitter.com/AzercosmosOJSCo)); #Horizons3e (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Horizons3e?src=hash) (@INTELSAT (https://twitter.com/INTELSAT) #SkyPerfectJSAT (https://twitter.com/hashtag/SkyPerfectJSAT?src=hash)). We're proud to deliver for cutting-edge missions!

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ЦитироватьИсточник рассказал о планах по запуску ракет "Союз" с космодрома Куру

04:24 15.09.2018

МОСКВА, 15 сен — РИА Новости. Российские ракеты "Союз-СТ" с разгонным блоком "Фрегат-М" дважды до конца года стартуют с европейского космодрома Куру во Французской Гвиане, сообщил РИА Новости источник в ракетно-космической отрасли.

"Большая группа специалистов НПО им. Лавочкина приступила на космодроме Куру к испытаниям разгонного блока "Фрегат-М", который будет использован при запуске европейского метеорологического спутника MetOp-C. Расчеты самарского Ракетно-космического центра "Прогресс" и Центра эксплуатации объектов наземной космической инфраструктуры прибудут на космодром Куру в середине октября для работ по испытаниям и сборке ракеты "Союз-СТ" и подготовки наземного оборудования к предстоящему пуску. Сам пуск ракеты запланирован на 7 ноября", — сказал собеседник.

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До конца года с Куру предстоит запустить еще один "Союз" — на 14 декабря намечен пуск ракеты "Союз-СТ" с разгонным блоком "Фрегат-МТ" и кластером из двух спутников — итальянским космическим аппаратом для детального радиолокационного зондирования Земли CSG-1 и европейским космическим телескопом для поиска экзопланет CHEOPS.

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Европейская метеосистема MetOp создается с 2006 года, когда был запущен первый спутник системы — MetOp-A. MetOp-B стартовал в 2012 году. Запуски космических аппаратов MetOp-A и MetOp-B осуществлялись с космодрома Байконур ракетами "Союз-2.1а". С запуском третьего спутника система будет развернута полностью. MetOp — первая европейская метеорологическая система, построенная на "полярных" спутниках, орбиты которых пролегают над полюсами планеты на высоте 812-818 км, что позволяет получать оперативную информацию с Северного и Южного полюсов, называемых "кухней погоды". До создания системы MetOp европейцы имели в эксплуатации только метеоспутники, располагавшиеся на геостационарной орбите, откуда полярные районы просматриваются плохо.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186009.jpg)EUMETSAT‏ @eumetsat (https://twitter.com/eumetsat) 19 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/eumetsat/status/1049672320258838528)

Time is ticking and the teams in #Kourou (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kourou?src=hash) are continuing to get #Metop (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Metop?src=hash)-C ready for launch on 7 November. This week the satellite will be fuelled - a significant and very meticulous step. Read just how this process will take place over at our Science Blog: http://bit.ly/2OhopmM  (https://t.co/H16q9gr2Oz)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/171150.jpg)

ЦитироватьMetop-C – fuelling process set to begin

The Metop-C launch campaign is back in full swing and picking up pace as we approach the 7 November launch date.

Ruth Evans (https://scienceblog.eumetsat.int/author/evansr/) on 9 October 2018

The Metop-C launch campaign is back in full swing and picking up pace as we approach the 7 November launch date.

Last week, the spacecraft was transferred fr om the S1B Payload Preparation Facility clean room at the Centre Spatial Guianese (CSG) in Kourou, French Guiana – Europe´s Spaceport – to the S3B Hazardous Preparation Facility, wh ere it will be fuelled this week.

Спойлер

This is a significant step that is only taken once the spacecraft is ready for fuelling and only if there is a high degree of confidence that the launch will proceed as planned. Defuelling the spacecraft isn't an easy process and the fuelled spacecraft is a potential hazard to handle and imposes significant safety constraints.

So, teams from EUMETSAT, ESA and industry convened at CSG to agree that fuelling the spacecraft could proceed. In parallel, Arianespace reviewed the readiness of the Metop-C launcher with the three-stage Soyuz and the Fregat upper stage (Soyuz 2-1B with ST fairing and Fregat version: M) and agreed the fuelling of the Fregat could also proceed.

Metop-C and Fregat, once mated together, will comprise the so-called upper composite which will later be integrated atop the Soyuz launch vehicle.

These reviews don't just consider the readiness of the spacecraft and the launcher, but include the whole EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS) required to safely operate the satellite in orbit. The readiness of the ground system and operations team at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) that will perform the launch and early operations phase are also taken into account.

(https://scienceblog.eumetsat.int/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/P1010161-683x1024.jpg)

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What type of fuel and how much?

Спойлер

During the fuelling process of Metop-C, which will last two days, around 316kg of anhydrous hydrazine N2H4 – a monopropellant that is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen – will be loaded into Metop-C's four on-board tanks.

In liquid form, when passed over a heated catalyst bed, this form of hydrazine decomposes to produce large volumes of nitrogen and hydrogen gas which are expelled to move or reorient the spacecraft.

Using a monopropellant means the propulsion system can be relatively simple in terms of design and so have less mass – fewer tanks, pipes and valves are needed compared to a bipropellant system. Less mass in the propulsion system means more mass can be allocated for payload instruments or to store additional fuel.

Although this is a relatively low power propulsion method, using a monopropellant for Metop perfectly fulfils what is needed to control its orbit and avoid a collision with space debris.

The Fregat propellant filling operations are scheduled to begin on 9 October and will last 10 days until 19 October.

Fregat has a more complex and powerful bipropellant propulsion system to carry Metop-C into its final orbit.

For the main propulsion system of Fregat, about 750kg of dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4) are filled. Dinitrogen tetroxide is a powerful oxidizer that is hypergolic (spontaneously reacts) upon contact with various forms of hydrazine.

It is reacting with 2 x 375kg of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) used on Fregat as hypergolic rocket fuel.

Furthermore, helium is used to pressurise the system.

[свернуть]

Readiness reviews

Спойлер

Also in the coming days and weeks, EUMETSAT and the partners involved in the launch will take part in a number of reviews, mainly in relation to the readiness of the Soyuz launch vehicle but also involving a number of other important steps as we move ever closer to the launch on 7 November (6 November Kourou time).

We'll keep you informed.

[свернуть]

Цитировать

Posted on October 3, 2018 by Honora (http://blogs.esa.int/eolaunches/author/honora/)

METOP-C: GETTING READY TO FUEL

With the launch of MetOp-C set for 7 November, specialists fr om ESA, Eumetsat, CNES and NASA have re-grouped at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, to prepare this latest weather satellite for its big day.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/101214.jpg)
Moving MetOp-C for fuelling. (ESA)

Liftoff was originally planned for 20 September, but this had to be pushed to November because of seasonal winds.

MetOp-C is the third polar-orbiting satellite in the Meteorological Operational satellite programme.

The satellites carry a host of sensitive instruments to measure a wide range of variables such as temperature and humidity, wind speed and direction over oceans, ozone and other atmospheric gases. The first two satellites, MetOp-A and MetOp-B were launched in 2006 and 2012, respectively.

Now that the MetOp-C launch campaign has resumed, engineers have been carefully preparing the satellite to be fuelled. This has also involved moving the satellite from the 'Payload Processing' building to the 'Hazardous Processing' building wh ere it will be fuelled next week.

Спойлер

As the building name suggests, the task of fuelling a satellite is hazardous and therefore carried out by fuelling experts.

Once fuelled, the satellite will be handed over to Arianespace for the 'combined operations' phase. This includes joining the satellite to the launch adapter and to the Soyuz rocket's fourth stage, encapsulation in the rocket fairing and transfer to the launch pad.

[свернуть]

Liftoff is set for 7 November 01:47 (CET), 6 November 21:47 (local time).

ЦитироватьArianespace assessing impact of crewed Soyuz failure on satellite-launching variant
by Caleb Henry (https://spacenews.com/author/caleb-henry/) — October 11, 2018

WASHINGTON — Arianespace said Oct. 11 it's too soon to say whether the Soyuz-ST rockets it uses to launch satellites from South America will be grounded following the failure of a Russian Soyuz-FG rocket carrying crew to the International Space Station.

Preparations for Arianespace's planned November launch of a Soyuz-ST rocket carrying a European weather satellite remained underway Oct. 11 at Europe's spaceport in French Guiana despite a still-unexplained Soyuz booster failure earlier the same day that forced the Soyuz-MS10 spacecraft to abort its mission about two minutes after liftoff and make an emergency landing.

"Along with our Russian partners, as soon as the relevant data is available, we will study the possible impact of this anomaly on Arianespace's planned launches with Soyuz," Arianespace said in an Oct. 11 statement. "At this point, it is still too early to draw any conclusions. In the meantime, the launch campaign for next Soyuz in November is continuing."

The payload for the November mission is Metop-C, a weather satellite built by Airbus Defence and Space for Europe's Eumetsat meteorological organization. The launch is scheduled for Nov. 7, according to a recent Eumetsat update.

Arianespace also noted in its statement that it not uses a variant of the Soyuz rocket Russia uses to launch Soyuz TMA-M capsules to the space station.

"The versions of this launcher used for Arianespace flights from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana are ST versions, which are different from the FG version used for this mission to the ISS," Arianespace said in the statement.

While both rockets are Russian, the Soyuz variant that Arianespace uses is slightly newer and incorporates changes such as a larger fairing, a new digital telemetry system and some engine modifications necessary for launching in high humidity.
...
Eumetsat's Metop-C weather satellite is designed to measure temperature, humidity and wind, as well as to detect ozone and other atmospheric gases. Eumetsat has two second-generation MetOp satellites, Metop-SG A1 and Metop-SG B1, also slated to launch on Soyuz rockets between 2021 and 2023.
...

ЦитироватьMetop – still state-of-the-art, 30 years on

EUMETSAT (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiN59j5b1fAGnXVzIYFpaMw)

Опубликовано: 22 окт. 2018 г.

EUMETSAT's Metop-C – the final in a series of meteorological satellites that have had the biggest positive impact on weather forecast accuracy – is scheduled to be launched from the European Space Port in Kourou, French Guiana, on 7 November (CET). The concept for the Metop satellites was born almost 30 years ago but they, and the instruments they carry, remain state-of-the-art. The data from those instruments has had an unprecedented positive impact on the accuracy of weather forecasts 12 hours to 10 days ahead. In our video, the degree of international cooperation behind this space success story becomes clear as representatives of the organisations involved explain the journey to this point.

ЦитироватьMetop – still state-of-the-art, 30 years on
Ruth Evans (https://scienceblog.eumetsat.int/author/evansr/) on 22 October 2018

In previous blogs (https://scienceblog.eumetsat.int/2018/10/metop-c-fuelling-process-set-to-begin/), we've explained the unprecedented positive impact the data from Metop satellites have had on the accuracy of weather forecasting.

Metop-C, scheduled for launch on 7 November (CET), is expected to enhance that impact because, for about three years, three of these satellites will be in orbit together, covering every point of our planet six times a day.

The concept for the Metop satellites was born almost 30 years ago but they, and the instruments they carry, remain state-of-the-art.

In the first of a series of videos we will publish in the lead up to the launch of Metop-C, representatives from the organisations behind this mission give an insight into its history, the satellite itself and the payload.

The Metop satellites are the space component of the EUMETSAT Polar System, which is Europe's contribution to the Initial Joint Polar System shared with the United States.

The EPS mission is a truly international effort with benefits felt by citizens around the globe stemming from the provision of highly accurate data used by national meteorological services to improve weather forecast accuracy and climate monitoring.

You can watch the video here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0kqIYg9noM).

ЦитироватьРОСКОСМОС‏ (https://twitter.com/roscosmos)
На космодроме Гвианского космического центра состоялся вывоз на стартовую позицию ракеты-носителя «Союз-СТ-Б» с метеорологическим космическим аппаратом #MetOpC.
 
Пуск запланирован 7 ноября в 03:47 по московскому времени.

ЦитироватьImproving weather forecasting: Soyuz reaches the launch zone for Arianespace's upcoming flight with Metop-C


The Soyuz vehicle for Arianespace's next medium-lift mission has moved to the launch zone in French Guiana, where it stands ready to receive the Metop-C satellite passenger that will be lofted on this November 6 flight.

In procedures that have become familiar at the Spaceport, Soyuz was moved via a transport/erector rail car in a horizontal-transfer process fr om the MIK launcher assembly facility to the ELS launch complex. Once over the launch pad, the vehicle was erected into a vertical orientation, wh ere it is suspended in place by four large support arms.

Following this step's completion, the mobile gantry was moved into position over the launcher – providing protection for the upcoming installation of Soyuz' "upper composite," which consists of Metop-C, the Fregat upper stage and payload fairing.

ЦитироватьSoyuz (http://www.arianespace.com/press-releases/?taxonomy%5Bpress-release-category%5D=soyuz) | October 30, 2018

Flight VS19: Arianespace at the service of EUMETSAT's polar-orbiting weather satellite program

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/223178.jpg)

For its eighth launch of the year, and the second Soyuz liftoff from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana in 2018, Arianespace will orbit Metop-C for EUMETSAT, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites.

Metop-C is the third and final satellite of its Polar System (EPS), the Metop program dedicated to operational meteorology.

By launching the complete Metop fleet, Arianespace once again supports EUMETSAT and Europe in the improvement of global climate monitoring and weather forecasting.

Flight VS19 will be performed from the Soyuz Launch Complex (ELS) in Sinnamary, French Guiana.

The Launch Readiness Review (LRR) will take place on Friday, November 2, 2018 in Kourou to authorize the start of operations for the final countdown.

Metop-C is the third and final satellite in the EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS). It is also the 13th EUMETSAT satellite to be launched by Arianespace, following the most recent mission with MSG-4 in July 2015.

Спойлер

The polar-orbiting Metop satellites are essential for numerical weather prediction from 12 hours to 10 days in advance. The still-operational Metop-A and –B satellites, launched from Baikonur in 2006 and 2012, by Starsem, make the single biggest contribution to the reduction in errors in weather forecasts one day in advance. Metop-C is therefore expected to enhance this.

Metop-C will be injected into a sun-synchronous "mid-morning" polar orbit which enables global observation of weather, atmospheric composition, oceans and land surfaces. Metop-C will have a five-year nominal life in orbit and will carry a payload of nine state-of-the-art instruments.

Metop-C will be the 20th meteorological satellite – as well as the 66th Earth observation satellite – launched by Arianespace.

Developed and built by Airbus Defence and Space as prime contractor, Metop-C will be the 122nd satellite from this constructor to be orbited by Arianespace.

For further information, download the Flight VS19 Launch Kit by clicking here: http://www.arianespace.com/press-kits/

[свернуть]

To watch a live, high-speed online transmission of the launch (including commentary in French and English from the launch site), go to arianespace.com or to youtube.com/arianespace on November 6, 2018, beginning 20 minutes before liftoff.

ЦитироватьCOMING SOON | Arianespace Flight VS19 – Metop-C
arianespace (https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCRn9F2D9j-t4A-HgudM7aLQ)

ЦитироватьArianespace Flight VS19 – Metop-C – Soyuz Launch Presentation
arianespace (https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCRn9F2D9j-t4A-HgudM7aLQ)

ЦитироватьOn-ground preparations for three satellites in orbit

EUMETSAT (https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCiN59j5b1fAGnXVzIYFpaMw)

ЦитироватьMetop-C – what happens after lift-off?

EUMETSAT (https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCiN59j5b1fAGnXVzIYFpaMw)

ЦитироватьArianespace Flight VS19 – Payload – Metop-C – EUMETSAT

arianespace (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRn9F2D9j-t4A-HgudM7aLQ)

Опубликовано: 4 нояб. 2018 г.

For its eighth launch of the year, and the second Soyuz liftoff from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana in 2018, Arianespace will orbit Metop-C for EUMETSAT, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites.

ЦитироватьArianespace Flight VS19 – Soyuz Launch Campaign

arianespace (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRn9F2D9j-t4A-HgudM7aLQ)

Опубликовано: 5 нояб. 2018 г.

For its eighth launch of the year, and the second Soyuz liftoff from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana in 2018, Arianespace will orbit Metop-C for EUMETSAT, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites.

Metop-C is the third and final satellite of its Polar System (EPS), the Metop program dedicated to operational meteorology.

By launching the complete Metop fleet, Arianespace once again supports EUMETSAT and Europe in the improvement of global climate monitoring and weather forecasting.

ЦитироватьСпециалисты не нашли проблем с датчиками "Союза" на космодроме Куру
11:09 06.11.2018

МОСКВА, 6 ноя — РИА Новости. Российские специалисты не обнаружили проблем с датчиками боковых блоков ракеты "Союз-СТ", которая проходит подготовку к запуску на космодроме Куру во Французской Гвиане, ее запуск состоится в ночь на среду, сообщили РИА Новости в пресс-службе "Роскосмоса".

Запуск намечен на 3.47 мск 7 ноября. Ракета выведет на орбиту метеорологический космический аппарат MetOp-C.

"Ракета прошла проверку, дефектов не выявлено. Запуск состоится в ранее назначенное время", — сказал представитель "Роскосмоса".


РИА Новости https://ria.ru/space/20181106/1532181926.html

ЦитироватьSoyuz (http://www.arianespace.com/mission-updates/?taxonomy%5Bmission-update-category%5D=soyuz) | November 5, 2018
Soyuz receives the "go" for Arianespace's November 6 liftoff with the Metop-C meteorological satellite

The Arianespace Soyuz mission that will orbit the third and final spacecraft in EUMETSAT's current generation polar-orbiting weather satellite program has been authorized for tomorrow's launch from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/223007.jpg)

Approval for liftoff was given at the conclusion of today's launch readiness review, which verified the "go" status of Soyuz, its Metop-C satellite passenger, the Spaceport's infrastructure and the network of downrange tracking stations.

The November 6 mission – designated VS19 in Arianespace's numbering system – will be performed from the Spaceport's purpose-built ELS launch facility for Soyuz. Liftoff is scheduled at precisely 9:47:27 p.m. local time in French Guiana, with Metop-C to be deployed into a polar sun-synchronous orbit during a flight sequence lasting approximately one hour.

Tomorrow's launch will be the 19th mission from French Guiana for Arianespace's medium-lift Soyuz, as well as the company's eighth flight in 2018 with its three-vehicle launcher family – which is completed by the heavy-lift Ariane 5 and lightweight Vega.

Спойлер

Essential for numerical weather prediction

Built by Airbus Defence and Space, Metop-C continues the European Meteorological Operational program of polar-orbiting spacecraft operated by EUMETSAT, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites.

Metop satellites are essential for numerical weather prediction from 12 hours to 10 days in advance. The still-operational Metop-A and Metop-B satellites – launched on Soyuz vehicles from Baikonour in 2006 and 2012, respectively, by Starsem (Arianespace's European-Russian joint-venture) – make the single biggest contribution to reducing errors in weather forecasts one day in advance. Metop-C is expected to enhance this performance upon entering service.

Metop-C will be injected into a sun-synchronous "mid-morning" polar orbit which enables global observation of weather, atmospheric composition, oceans and land surfaces. Metop-C will have a five-year nominal life in orbit and will carry a payload of nine state-of-the-art instruments.

After its deployment by Soyuz, the satellite is to undergo approximately six-weeks of commissioning, during which the proper operation of the spacecraft and its instrumentation is verified.

[свернуть]

Liftoff time for Flight VS19:

[TH]French Guiana[/TH][TH]UTC[/TH][TH]Washington, D.C.[/TH][TH]Tokyo[/TH][TH]Paris[/TH]

9:47:27 p.m. on Nov. 6	00:47:27 on Nov. 7	7:47:27 p.m. on Nov. 6	9:47:27 a.m. on Nov. 7	1:47:27 a.m. on Nov. 7

ЦитироватьGetting ready for MetOp-C

European Space Agency, ESA (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIBaDdAbGlFDeS33shmlD0A)

Опубликовано: 29 окт. 2018 г.

Спойлер

The third in the series of MetOp satellites is scheduled for launch on 7 November from Europe's spaceport in Kourou. In this special edition of Earth from Space, ESA's MetOp-C project manager, Stéfane Carlier, talks about this latest polar-orbiting weather satellite and how its range of instruments provide data on a host of atmospheric variables such as temperature and humidity. These data are used largely for numerical weather prediction – the basis for weather forecasting. They also contribute to climate research.

The MetOp programme is a joint undertaking between ESA and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, Eumetsat.

The programme is also Europe's contribution to a cooperative venture with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA. The satellites work in conjunction with the NOAA satellite system.

Not only do the MetOp and NOAA satellites fly in complementary orbits to offer maximum coverage, some of the instruments are common to both missions.

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьPhotos: Europe's MetOp-C weather satellite readied for liftoff
November 6, 2018 (https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/11/) | Stephen Clark (https://spaceflightnow.com/author/stephen-clark/)

A new European weather satellite is ready for launch Tuesday night aboard a Soyuz rocket from French Guiana, and these photos illustrate the final weeks of the spacecraft's launch campaign.

The 9,003-pound (4,084-kilogram) MetOp-C weather satellite will launch into a polar orbit roughly 500 miles (800 kilometers) above Earth to measure key atmospheric variables, data necessary to feed global numerical weather prediction models.

Спойлер

MetOp-C was built by Airbus Defense and Space, and it's the third in a series of polar-orbiting meteorological satellites owned by Eumetsat, Europe's weather satellite agency. Eumetsat and NOAA have a data-sharing arrangement, sharing responsibilities for polar orbit weather coverage between European and U.S. spacecraft.

Designed for a seven-year mission, MetOp-C will help improve medium-range forecasts ranging from 12 hours to 10 days out. Its instruments will measure temperature, humidity, ozone, trace gases, and wind speeds over the oceans.

Read our full story for a preview of the mission.

The photos below show fueling of the MetOp-C satellite at the Guiana Space Center, followed by its attachment to the Soyuz rocket's Fregat upper stage, which will direct the spacecraft into its targeted orbit. The photo gallery also shows encapsulation of the satellite and the Fregat upper stage inside the Soyuz rocket's payload fairing.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/145174.jpg)
The MetOp-C satellite during fueling at the Guiana Space Center. Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace – Photo Optique Video du CSG – P. Piron

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/145186.jpg)
Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace – Photo Optique Video du CSG – P. Baudon

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/145187.jpg)
Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace – Photo Optique Video du CSG – S. Martin

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/145188.jpg)
Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace – Photo Optique Video du CSG – S. Martin

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/145189.jpg)
Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace – Photo Optique Video du CSG – S. Martin

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/145190.jpg)
Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace – Photo Optique Video du CSG – S. Martin

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/145191.jpg)
Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace – Photo Optique Video du CSG – P. Baudon

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/145192.jpg)
Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace – Photo Optique Video du CSG – P. Baudon

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/145193.jpg)
Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace – Photo Optique Video du CSG – P. Baudon

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/145194.jpg)
Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace – Photo Optique Video du CSG – P. Baudon

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/145185.jpg)
Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace – Photo Optique Video du CSG – P. Baudon

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьLive coverage: Soyuz rocket set for launch from French Guiana
November 6, 2018 (https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/11/) | Stephen Clark (https://spaceflightnow.com/author/stephen-clark/)

11/07/2018 02:20 Stephen Clark

The launch team is loading more than 500,000 pounds of liquid oxygen and kerosene propellant into the rocket this evening, plus hydrogen peroxide to drive the engines' gas turbines and liquid nitrogen to keep the propellant tanks pressurized.

Спойлер

The Soyuz countdown sequence begins 5 minutes, 10 seconds prior to liftoff, then the Fregat upper stage will transition to internal power five minutes before launch.

The umbilical arm servicing the upper stage and payloads will pull away at T-minus 2 minutes, 25 seconds. The Soyuz rocket is operating on internal power at T-minus 40 seconds, and the final servicing mast retracts from the rocket 20 seconds later.

The ignition sequence of the Soyuz rocket's kerosene-fueled core stage and four strap-on boosters begins 17 seconds before liftoff, and all engines should be at full thrust three seconds before launch.

Flying for the 19th time from the Guiana Space Center in South America, the Soyuz will head north over the Atlantic with Europe's MetOp-C weather satellite, which will be released at T+plus 60 minutes, 18 seconds, into a near-circular polar orbit at an average altitude of 504 miles (811 kilometers)

It will be the eighth flight of the year for Arianespace, the French launch services provider responsible for Soyuz launches from French Guiana.

Russian officials, Arianespace top management and representatives from the French-run spaceport met around five hours before liftoff to authorize fueling of the three-stage Soyuz rocket with kerosene and liquid oxygen.

[свернуть]

Цитировать

youtube.com/watch?v=IfbRjjcxzr8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfbRjjcxzr8)

Цитировать11/07/2018 03:29 Stephen Clark

T-minus 18 minutes. Some statistics on today's flight:

[/li]
• 1,894th Soyuz rocket launch
• 12th Soyuz launch of 2018
• 19th Soyuz launch from French Guiana
• 8th launch from Guiana Space Center in 2018
• 2nd Soyuz launch from French Guiana in 2018
• 302nd Arianespace launch since 1980
• 20th meteorological satellite launched by Arianespace
• 122nd Airbus Defense and Space launched by Arianespace
• 89th global orbital launch attempt in 2018
  

ЦитироватьMetop-C launch

SciNews (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjU6ZwoTQtKWfz1urL7XcbA)

Опубликовано: 6 нояб. 2018 г.

ЦитироватьSoyuz (http://www.arianespace.com/mission-updates/?taxonomy%5Bmission-update-category%5D=soyuz) | November 6, 2018

Liftoff of Arianespace's Soyuz mission with Metop-C

Arianespace's latest Soyuz mission is now underway following tonight's liftoff from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

This flight will last approximately one hour from liftoff to separation of the Metop-C weather satellite, which will be placed into a polar sun-synchronous orbit.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/68356.jpg)ESA Operations‏Подлинная учетная запись @esaoperations (https://twitter.com/esaoperations) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/1059986329533145088)

#ESOC (https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESOC?src=hash) Spacecraft Operations Manager reports #MetOpC (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MetOpC?src=hash) is healthy and everything is according to plan, or, "NOMINAL"(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125614.png)(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125614.png)(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125614.png)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/68356.jpg)ESA Operations‏Подлинная учетная запись @esaoperations (https://twitter.com/esaoperations) 1 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/1059986868262051842)

Aquisition has been confirmed at the Kerguelen ground station! (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125421.png) The 'uplink' has been established!(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125614.png)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/68356.jpg)ESA Operations‏Подлинная учетная запись @esaoperations (https://twitter.com/esaoperations) 50 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/1059986996297392128)

The #ESOC (https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESOC?src=hash) Flight Control A-Team now have a long night ahead of them, as they get the #MetOpC (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MetOpC?src=hash), Earth observation satellite ready to start its new life in space(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125535.png)(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125295.png)(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125456.png)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67784.jpg)Stéphane Israël‏ @arianespaceceo (https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/1059987474330607616)

Just like in Kourou, there's a great deal of excitement here at @eumetsat (https://twitter.com/eumetsat)'s launch event in Darmstatd! Happy to celebrate with EUMETSAT, @esa (https://twitter.com/esa), @AirbusSpace (https://twitter.com/AirbusSpace) and other partners! #CSTHEDAY (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CSTHEDAY?src=hash) #METOPMEETUP (https://twitter.com/hashtag/METOPMEETUP?src=hash)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/172202.jpg)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/172201.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/68356.jpg)ESA Operations‏Подлинная учетная запись @esaoperations (https://twitter.com/esaoperations) 32 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/1059988249790369792)

The 'Launch and Early Operations Phase' automatic sequence has now begun on #MetOpC (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MetOpC?src=hash), and we now wait for the solar array primary deployment to begin(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125593.png)(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125535.png). All looking good so far! (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125471.png)

ЦитироватьРоссийская ракета "Союз-СТ" успешно вывела спутник MetOp-С на орбиту
05:12 07.11.2018

ПАРИЖ, 7 ноя – РИА Новости. Российская ракета-носитель "Союз-СТ", которая стартовала с космодрома Куру во Французской Гвиане, вывела на орбиту метеорологический спутник MetOp-С.

Спутник отделился от ракеты и вышел на орбиту примерно в 22.47 по местному времени во вторник (4.47 мск среды). Трансляция велась на сайте компании-оператора космодрома Arianespace.

"Космический аппарат MetOp-C взят на управление. Ракета и (разгонный блок – ред.) "Фрегат" отработали по плану", — написал глава Роскосмоса Дмитрий Рогозин в Twitter.

​MetOp-C является третьим и последним спутником Европейской организации спутниковой метеорологии (EUMETSAT). Спутники MetOp необходимы для прогнозирования погоды на период от 12 часов до 10 дней.

Первый и второй спутники этой серии — MetOp-А и MetOp-B — были запущены в 2006 и 2012 году соответственно. Обе "метеорологические станции" успешно работают на орбите с момента запуска и вносят большой вклад в сокращение ошибок в прогнозах погоды. Ожидается, что MetOp-C повысит качество прогнозов погоды.
...
Как сообщалось ранее, на 14 декабря планируется еще один запуск с космодрома Куру ракеты "Союз-СТ" с блоком "Фрегат-МТ" и космическим аппаратом CSO 1 (Composante Spatiale Optique-1).


РИА Новости https://ria.ru/science/20181107/1532245435.html

ЦитироватьSoyuz (http://www.arianespace.com/mission-updates/?taxonomy%5Bmission-update-category%5D=soyuz) | November 6, 2018
Another Soyuz success: Arianespace launches Metop-C for Europe's meteorological operational system of polar-orbiting satellites

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/223182.jpg)

Weather forecasts around the globe will be more accurate thanks to Arianespace's latest Soyuz success from the Spaceport in French Guiana – which launched the third and final spacecraft in EUMETSAT's current-generation polar-orbiting weather satellite program.

Lifting off at 9:47:27 p.m. local time – which was the planned precise moment of launch – the Russian-built medium-lift vehicle deployed its Metop-C passenger into a sun-synchronous "mid-morning" polar orbit during a one-hour flight sequence. Total payload lift performance was estimated at 4,212 kg.

Good visibility at the Spaceport enabled the facility's tracking cameras – and the worldwide audience watching via Arianespace's live video broadcast – to follow the Soyuz' flight trajectory downrange for more than five minutes, which included the first-stage boosters' separation.

Tonight's success – designated Flight VS19 – was the 45th Soyuz mission operated by Arianespace and its Starsem European-Russian joint venture. Of this total, 19 originated from the Spaceport in French Guiana – which introduced its Soyuz operations in 2011 – while 26 were performed from Kazakhstan-based Baikonur Cosmodrome between 1999 and 2013.

Спойлер

Supporting a better life on Earth

Built by Airbus Defence and Space, Metop-C continues the European meteorological operational program of polar-orbiting spacecraft operated by the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). The first two satellites – Metop-A and Metop-B – were launched on Soyuz vehicles from Baikonour Cosmodrome in 2006 and 2012, respectively, by Starsem.

Looking forward to continued cooperation

Metop spacecraft are essential for numerical weather prediction from 12 hours to 10 days in advance, and carry state-of-the-art instruments to measure a wide range of variables – such as temperature and humidity, wind speed and direction over oceans, ozone and other atmospheric gases.

The still-operational Metop-A and Metop-B satellites make the largest single contribution to reducing errors in weather forecasts one day in advance, with Metop-C expected to enhance this performance upon its own service entry. Following the deployment by Soyuz, Metop-C is to undergo approximately six weeks of commissioning, during which the proper operation of the spacecraft and its instrumentation will be verified.

After tonight's success, Arianespace has four more EUMETSAT spacecraft in its backlog for future launches: MTG-I1 and MTG-S1, the European organization's next generation of geostationary satellites; along with the polar-orbiting MetopSG-A1 and MetopSG-B1, which are to succeed Metop-A, -B and -C in delivering meteorological data.

Metop-C is the 122nd satellite built by Airbus Defence and Space to be orbited on an Arianespace mission, with 21 more Airbus-produced spacecraft in the company's order book for future launches.

Flight VS19 was Arianespace's second Soyuz mission in 2018, and the eighth this year using a member of the company's three-member launcher family – which also includes the heavy-lift Ariane 5 and lightweight Vega.

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьSoyuz (http://www.arianespace.com/press-releases/?taxonomy%5Bpress-release-category%5D=soyuz) | November 6, 2018
Arianespace orbits Metop-C in its third successful launch for EUMETSAT's Metop meteorological satellite program

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/223181.jpg)

Arianespace has successfully launched the Metop-C satellite for EUMETSAT, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites.

Arianespace's eighth launch of the year, and the second using a Soyuz rocket, took place on Tuesday, November 6 at 9:47 p.m. (local time) from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana (South America).

With the launch of this third and final satellite of the current-generation EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS), Arianespace once again supports both EUMETSAT and Europe in improving weather forecasts and monitoring the global climate for a better life on Earth.

Спойлер

Metop-C joins Europe's Metop polar satellite system, a flagship program for meteorology and climate monitoring

EUMETSAT is tasked with supplying meteorological and climate data to European member-states, as well as to international partners and users, while also contributing to the long-term study of climate change.

Placed in polar orbit, the three Metop satellites play a crucial role in numerical weather prediction from 12 hours to 10 days in advance. The still-operational Metop-A and Metop–B satellites, launched by Starsem from Baikonur Cosmodrome in 2006 and 2012, make the biggest single contribution to the accuracy of weather forecasts. Metop-C will enhance and expand these capabilities.

The EUMETSAT Polar System is Europe's contribution to the Joint Polar System, shared with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States. As with the two previous satellites – Metop-A and -B – Metop-C will be positioned in a "mid-morning" sun-synchronous polar orbit to enable the global observation of weather, oceans, land surfaces and the atmosphere's composition. These observations complement those collected by NOAA's JPSS satellites, which fly in "afternoon" orbits.

Metop-C also is essential to ensuring a smooth transition to the upcoming EUMETSAT Polar System – Second Generation (EPS-SG). The first EPS-SG satellite is scheduled for launch in 2022.

Metop-C joins Europe's Metop polar satellite system, a flagship program for meteorology and climate monitoring

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Metop-C is the 13th European meteorological satellite launched by Arianespace. All EUMETSAT satellites to date have been launched by Arianespace, which still has the next generation of EUMETSAT satellites in its order book: Metop-SG A1 and B1 into polar orbit, and MTG-I1 and MTG-S1 into geostationary orbit.

2018, a busy year for institutional launches

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Metop-C is the 163rd institutional satellite orbited by Arianespace for its European partners.

Today's launch was the eighth since the beginning of 2018. Half of these missions were performed for the commercial market, while the other half were for European institutions: the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Commission, and EUMETSAT. Arianespace thereby reaffirms its dual mission: guaranteeing independent and reliable access to space for Europe, while also winning export contracts.

CSG gearing up for three more Soyuz launches

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Today's launch marked the 19th mission by the Soyuz medium launcher since it started operating at the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in 2011, and its second mission in 2018. It also is the first of a series of four flights by Soyuz from now through March 2019 to be launched from CSG. Shortened and optimized, the launch campaigns use the Fregat Fueling Facility (FCube), a building inaugurated in 2015 that is dedicated to the Fregat upper stage on the Soyuz launch vehicle.

Shortly after the announcement of the satellite's orbital injection, Stéphane Israël, Chief Executive Officer of Arianespace, said: "On our eighth launch of the year from the CSG, Soyuz accomplished its mission by orbiting Metop-C. We are delighted that EUMETSAT has renewed its trust in us to round out Europe's meteorological capabilities from the poles, and thus improve its forecasting models. We are now gearing up to deploy the next generation of EUMETSAT satellites, reflecting our close partnership and our primary mission of ensuring reliable and guaranteed access to space for Europe to help make life better on Earth.

"I would like to congratulate Airbus Defence and Space, prime contractor for the Metop-C satellite, as well as the Russian space agency Roscosmos, for their continued commitment to our partnership based on Soyuz and for the exceptional versatility offered by this launcher. My thanks also go to CNES/CSG, our ground segment companies and all staff at the space center, who work with us as we go from success to success. Congratulations to everybody at Arianespace, who contributed to this latest perfect launch – the 19th Soyuz mission from Europe's Spaceport."

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Цитировать11/07/2018 04:50 Stephen Clark

The first signals from MetOp-C after launch have been received at the European Space Operations Center in Darmstadt, Germany, confirming the satellite is alive after arriving in orbit.

11/07/2018 04:55 Stephen Clark

Controllers at ESOC in Germany report the satellite has switched on its gyros for attitude control and has started priming its propulsion system. Deployment of the solar array has also started.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/68356.jpg)ESA Operations‏Подлинная учетная запись @esaoperations (https://twitter.com/esaoperations) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/1059990288951861250)

#MetOpC (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MetOpC?src=hash)'s solar array release and primary deployment has begun, beginning the vital sequence that will ensure the satellite can receive power from the Sun(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125593.png) to properly begin its mission.... (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125295.png)(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125369.png)(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125535.png)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/68356.jpg)ESA Operations‏Подлинная учетная запись @esaoperations (https://twitter.com/esaoperations) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/1059995674970873856)

Solar array deployment is now complete!! And like a butterfly opening its wings, #MetOpC (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MetOpC?src=hash) can power itself from the Sun!(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125593.png)(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125535.png)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67784.jpg)Stéphane Israël‏ @arianespaceceo (https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/1059988544150818817)

I also would like to express my gratitude to #Arianespace (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Arianespace?src=hash)'s Russian partners – @roscosmos (https://twitter.com/roscosmos), #RKTs (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RKTs?src=hash)-Progress, #NPOLavochkin (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NPOLavochkin?src=hash) and #Tsenki (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tsenki?src=hash) – for their cooperation on Flight #VS19 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/VS19?src=hash).
#teamwork (https://twitter.com/hashtag/teamwork?src=hash)

ЦитироватьArianespace - VS19 Successful Launch

arianespace (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRn9F2D9j-t4A-HgudM7aLQ)

Опубликовано: 6 нояб. 2018 г.

For its eighth launch of the year, and the second Soyuz liftoff from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana in 2018, Arianespace will orbit Metop-C for EUMETSAT, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites.

ЦитироватьVS19 Arianespace Successful Mission

arianespace (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRn9F2D9j-t4A-HgudM7aLQ)

Опубликовано: 6 нояб. 2018 г.

ЦитироватьArianespace VS19 Official Speeches

arianespace (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRn9F2D9j-t4A-HgudM7aLQ)

Опубликовано: 6 нояб. 2018 г.

ЦитироватьArianespace Flight VS19 – Metop-C (EN)

arianespace (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRn9F2D9j-t4A-HgudM7aLQ)

Опубликовано: 6 нояб. 2018 г.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg)Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 3 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1059986033427824640)

S/C Sep for Metop-C!

ARTICLE:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/11/arianespace-soyuz-st-b-metop-c-launch/ ... (https://t.co/NygicbUDbQ)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/172198.jpg)

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/172199.jpg)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/172200.jpg)

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьEUMETSAT'S THIRD METOP SATELLITE SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED

At 01:47 CET (21:47 Kourou time), EUMETSAT's polar-orbiting meteorological satellite Metop-C was successfully launched on a Soyuz ST-B rocket from the European Space Port in Kourou, French Guiana.

WEDNESDAY, 07 NOVEMBER 2018

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/206083.jpg) (https://www.eumetsat.int/website/wcm/idc/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dDocName=IMG_NWS_181107_METOP-C&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&Rendition=Web)

Metop-C is the last in a series of threepolar-orbiting satellites (https://www.eumetsat.int/website/home/Satellites/CurrentSatellites/Metop/), developed in cooperation with ESA, which provides vital observations for weather forecasts up to 10 days ahead, as part of the EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS).

Metop-C carries nine instruments (https://www.eumetsat.int/website/home/Satellites/CurrentSatellites/Metop/MetopDesign/) measuring mainly vertical profiles of temperature and humidity, cloud properties, atmospheric composition, sea surface temperature, wind at the ocean surface, sea ice parameters, vegetation parameters and soil moisture.

With the Metop-A and -B satellites still performing well in orbit beyond their design lifetime, the EUMETSAT EPS system is already providing the source of data that has the highest positive impact on global numerical weather prediction, in terms of reducing forecast errors one day ahead. In addition, EPS supports operational oceanography, marine meteorology, air quality forecasting and climate monitoring.

Спойлер

Forming a three-satellite constellation with Metop-A and-B until Metop-A is re-orbited in 2022, Metop-C will further improve weather forecasts up to 10 days ahead for the benefit of European citizens and our economy.

Alain Ratier, Eumetsat's Director General, said, "EUMETSAT is grateful to Arianespace for another successful launch, after those of Metop-A and Metop-B. It is now up to us to commission the satellite and instruments in partnership with ESA, CNES and NOAA, until the end of January. After this, our scientists will work with expert users to validate the output products, and bring the service to users to operational status in early spring 2019.

"Our EPS system and its Metop satellites equipped with innovative European instruments has brought meteorological observation from the polar orbit to a new standard, and this is another success of our cooperation with ESA.

"Through its positive impact on weather forecasts, EPS already produces socio-economic benefits of at least €5 billion per year in Europe, and we will do even better with a third satellite in operation.
 
"Metop-C also secures the transition with the EPS-SG system we are developing in cooperation with ESA, to launch a first Metop Second Generation satellite at the end of 2022."

Josef Aschbacher, ESA's Director of Earth Observation Programmes, said, "Metop is Europe's first series of polar-orbiting weather satellites designed and developed by ESA to fulfil EUMETSAT requirements. The launch of Metop-C is another achievement of the excellent cooperation between ESA and EUMETSAT, which now continues with the development of polar-orbiting Metop Second Generation satellites as well as geostationary Meteosat Third Generation satellites.

[свернуть]

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/225259.jpg) (http://www.esa.int/)

EUROPE'S THIRD POLAR-ORBITING WEATHER SATELLITE LOFTED INTO ORBIT

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/225611.jpg) (http://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2018/11/MetOp_liftoff)
MetOp liftoff

7 November 2018
The third MetOp satellite, MetOp-C, has been launched on a Soyuz rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana to continue the provision of data for weather forecasting from polar orbit.

Carrying the 4083 kg MetOp-C satellite, the Soyuz rocket lifted off on 7 November at 00:47 GMT (01:47 CET).

Some 60 minutes later Soyuz's upper stage delivered MetOp-C into orbit and contact was established through the Yatharagga ground station in Australia.

Спойлер

MetOp-C is the last in the current series of MetOp satellites, following on from MetOp-A, which was launched in 2006, and MetOp-B, which was launched in 2012.

The MetOp satellites are developed by ESA under a cooperation agreement to form the space segment of the Eumetsat Polar System. This system is Europe's contribution to a multi-orbit polar system shared with the US NOAA agency.

Stéfane Carlier, ESA's MetOp Project Manager, noted, "The MetOp satellites carry an array of sensors that measure temperature, humidity, trace gases, ozone and wind speed over the ocean."

https://dlmultimedia.esa.int/download/public/videos/2018/10/053/1810_053_AR_EN.mp4 (https://dlmultimedia.esa.int/download/public/videos/2018/10/053/1810_053_AR_EN.mp4)
From pole to pole
Access the video (http://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2018/10/From_pole_to_pole)

Josef Aschbacher, ESA's Director of Earth Observation Programmes, said, "The MetOp programme demonstrates the value of cooperation – something that has been achieved by ESA and Eumetsat working together.

"ESA's role is to design, build and launch the satellites fulfilling Eumetsat requirements. The satellites carry instruments developed in Europe and in the US.

"MetOp-A was Europe's first weather satellite to orbit Earth from pole to pole, around 800 km high and complementing the long-standing series of Meteosat missions that orbit 36 000 km above the equator.

"It was envisaged that each successive satellite would take over from its predecessor, but thanks to their extraordinary quality, both MetOp-A and MetOp-B are still going strong. With MetOp-C, the mission will continue as a three-satellite constellation, further increasing the wealth of data for weather forecasting."

"MetOp-C is now in the hands of ESA's flight operations team in Germany for the three-day early orbit operations phase, until the handover of flight operations to Eumetsat."

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/225605.png) (http://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2018/10/MetOp_for_weather_forecasting)
MetOp for weather forecasting

Alain Ratier, Eumetsat Director General, said, "Eumetsat is grateful to Arianespace for another successful launch, after those of MetOp-A and MetOp-B.

"We are now ready to take over flight operations from ESA's European Spacecraft Operations Centre to perform in-orbit commissioning of the satellite and instruments until end of January, in partnership with ESA, CNES and NOAA. After this, Eumetsat scientists will validate output products with expert users, such that we can release real-time products to users in spring 2019.

"With three operational MetOp satellites in orbit, the Eumetsat Polar System will further improve weather forecasts up to 10 days ahead, for the benefit of European citizens and our economy."

"MetOp-C will also ensure the smooth transition with the Eumetsat Polar System - Second Generation, developed in cooperation with ESA, with the objective to launch the first MetOp Second Generation satellite in 2022."

[свернуть]

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67516.jpg)Jonathan McDowell‏Подлинная учетная запись @planet4589 (https://twitter.com/planet4589) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1060024646194642944)

MetOp-C tracked in 803 x 807 km x 98.7 deg, 0930LT sun-sync orbit, confirming successful launch.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/68356.jpg)ESA Operations‏Подлинная учетная запись @esaoperations (https://twitter.com/esaoperations) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/1061216979292438528)

Following launch (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125513.png) on 7 Nov and 3 days of critical early flight operations at #ESOC (https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESOC?src=hash), #MetOpC (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MetOpC?src=hash) (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125535.png) is in great shape & was handed over this AM to @eumetsat (https://twitter.com/eumetsat) for commissioning & future routine operation - cooperation at its best!
http://fal.cn/SbNA (https://t.co/6xctoiRZBa)
#MakersandDoers (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MakersandDoers?src=hash)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/172071.jpg)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/172070.jpg)

ЦитироватьArianespace Flight VS19 / Behind the Scenes of the Dream

arianespace (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRn9F2D9j-t4A-HgudM7aLQ)

Опубликовано: 12 нояб. 2018 г.

ЦитироватьSwitching on Metop-C's instruments

Metop-C is now safely orbiting the Earth after a spectacular and eagerly-awaited launch on 7 November.

Ruth Evans (https://scienceblog.eumetsat.int/author/evansr/) on 16 November 2018

Much has happened since then for this satellite, which is expected to play a crucially important role in the provision of data for weather forecasting and climate monitoring.

After the launch

A little over an hour after Metop-C's launch (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=oZu2TV3ogq8) by Arianespace from Kourou, the satellite separated from the upper stage of the Soyuz rocket.

The satellite was on its own.

The first telemetry signal from the satellite received just after separation over Western Australia was the sign the launch had been a success – and a series of further milestone successes have been achieved in the days since.

Metop-C is now safely orbiting the Earth after a spectacular and eagerly-awaited launch on 7 November.


Much has happened since then for this satellite, which is expected to play a crucially important role in the provision of data for weather forecasting and climate monitoring.

After the launch
A little over an hour after Metop-C's launch by Arianespace from Kourou, the satellite separated from the upper stage of the Soyuz rocket.

The satellite was on its own.

The first telemetry signal from the satellite received just after separation over Western Australia was the sign the launch had been a success – and a series of further milestone successes have been achieved in the days since.

The "launch and early operations phase"

At this point ESA's European Space Operations Centre at Darmstadt, working with a team from EUMETSAT, led the three-day launch and early operations phase of Metop-C's life in space.

The purpose of the LEOP was to ensure that the satellite's solar array and all antennas were deployed, that all on-board systems required to support the mission were activated, properly configured and working correctly and that the desired orbit was achieved allowing a controlled drift into its final commissioning position in a Tri-Star configuration with Metop-A and B.

All of Metop-C's avionic systems, power system, temperature control, on-board software and telecommunication links, were checked.

Following this process, EUMETSAT took over control of Metop-C (https://www.eumetsat.int/website/home/News/DAT_4136429.html) on Saturday night and started flight operations for the in-orbit verification activities and to manoeuvre Metop-C into its final orbital slot.

Commissioning Metop-C

Now, teams at EUMETSAT, including partners from the US National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, ESA, CNES and industry are switching on the satellite's instruments, some of which have already started sending data back to Earth.

Here are some of the first

Metop-C's very first image, was from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) after it started sending data by its visible (0.64 µm) and near infrared (0.86 µm and 1.61 µm) channels.

(https://scienceblog.eumetsat.int/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/IMG_NWS_20181113_MET-C_AVHRR.jpg)
The very first AVHRR image from Metop-C shows a red-green-blue composite of the AVHRR's channels 3a (1.61 µm), 2 (0.86 µm) and 1 (0.64 µm) data. In this image, ocean is black, vegetation is green, desert is brown to grey, low (water) clouds are white, and high (ice) clouds are cyan.

(https://scienceblog.eumetsat.int/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/AVHRR-fires.jpg)
In another early image from the AVHRR, smoke from the devastating wildfires in California is clearly visible. This demonstrates the role meteorological satellites can play in detecting and ultimately forecasting air quality, for example.

(https://scienceblog.eumetsat.int/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Metop-C-GOME-2-first-image.jpg)
The Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME-2) has been switched on and is sending promising data already. This image shows "Earth shine" measurements. It might not mean as much to many people as the images above but our scientists are delighted!

(https://scienceblog.eumetsat.int/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Gras_First_01.png)
The Global Navigation Satellite System Receiver for Atmospheric Sound (GRAS) instrument has also been switched on and is operating well. Its first image also pleased our team.

Цитироватьhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orZQCcWA86g (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orZQCcWA86g)
(4:50)