Soyuz success from Baikonur Cosmodrome: the Metop-B weather satellite is in orbit

September 17, 2012

The Soyuz launcher is seconds away from liftoff at Baikonur Cosmodrome with its Metop-B payload on a flight that marked Starsem’s 25th commercial launch success.

Europe’s newest meteorology satellite, Metop-B, was launched today from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan by Starsem.

Lofted by a Soyuz launcher, this spacecraft is the second in a series of polar-orbiting spacecraft in the Meteorological Operational satellite program (Metop) – joining Metop-A, launched by Starsem aboard another Soyuz from Baikonur Cosmodrome in October 2006.

These satellites are Europe’s first operational meteorological platforms in polar orbit, and they constitute the space segment of the EUMETSAT (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites) polar system.  This system delivers data for numerical weather prediction – the basis of modern weather forecasting – along with climate and environmental monitoring.

The Metop spacecraft are procured on behalf of EUMETSAT by the European Space Agency from an Astrium-led European industrial consortium, and they include instruments delivered by the French CNES space agency, as well as the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Today’s liftoff occurred at 10:28 p.m. local time from Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Launch Pad #6. During the mission, Soyuz’ re-ignitable Fregat upper stage performed two propulsive burns separated by a coast phase of approximately 45 minutes, followed by Metop-B’s release into a Sun-synchronous orbit.   

The mission was designated ST25, signifying the 25th flight performed by Starsem since beginning its operations in 1999.

It utilized a Soyuz 2-1a version equipped with the ST-type fairing sized at an external diameter of 4.1 meters and a length of 11.4 meters.

At Baikonur Cosmodrome, Jean-Yves Le Gall – the Chairman & CEO of both Starsem and Arianespace – congratulated all involved with the mission, and underscored the successful collaboration with the European meteorological satellite organization.

“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to EUMETSAT for its confidence and support,” said Le Gall.  “Once again, together, we have demonstrated that Soyuz is an extremely valuable launch vehicle, and definitely is the workhorse of the mid-sized European institutional programs.”

Also speaking from the launch site in Kazakhstan, Ernst Koenemann, Director of Program Development of EUMETSAT, confirmed Metop-B’s successful deployment from the Soyuz launcher’s Fregat upper stage – which was followed by confirmation of the satellite’s solar array deployment. 

He said it was “a very impressive launch on a nice summer evening,” providing an excellent view of Soyuz well into its northern trajectory.  “With the launch of MSG-3 in the beginning of July, and now the first successful steps with Metop-B, we have two important assets in orbit to guarantee to our member states the continuation of our service for at least the next 6-7 years – which is a real success,” Koenemann added.