A “Europeanized” Soyuz rocket will launch from the Guiana Space Center with the third satellite in Europe’s MetOp Constellation – the first European meteorology system operating from Sun Synchronous Orbit to collect data on atmospheric parameters feeding into numerical weather forecasting. Modern-day satellite-based meteorology systems combine low-orbiting satellites in Sun Synchronous Orbit for atmospheric scanning while spacecraft placed in Geostationary Orbit collect rapid-cadence imagery for monitoring of weather systems. Built by Airbus Defence and Space, the four-metric-ton MetOp satellites each carry a multi-payload suite for atmospheric sounding, scatterometry, and imaging.

Mission Resources:

? Launch Vehicle Overview: Soyuz 2-1B

⏰ Countdown Timeline

☂ Launch Weather

? Launch Site Schedule