[FPSPACE] FW: MetOp satellite shipped to Baikonur on 18 April

[LARRY KLAES]

>From: "ESA" <contactesa at esa.int>
>Reply-To: ContactESA at esa.int
>Subject: MetOp satellite shipped to Baikonur on 18 April
>Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2006 12:25:55 +0200
>
>The first MetOp meteorological satellite arrived yesterday at its launch 
>site, the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, following shipment from the 
>industrial prime contractor, EADS Astrium in Toulouse, on board an 
>Antonov-124 transport plane.
>
>MetOp-A is the first in a series of three EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS) 
>satellites developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) for EUMETSAT, the 
>European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites.
>After undergoing a mechanical and environmental test campaign, the 
>spacecraft passed the acceptance review last year and the recent 
>compatibility test between satellite and ground segment cleared the way for 
>shipment of the satellite to Baikonur.
>
>This shipment comprises a service module, a payload module and the solar 
>array, including the electrical and mechanical ground support equipment 
>needed for the launch campaign. The mission includes a total of 12 
>instruments developed in cooperation with French Space Agency, CNES, and 
>the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
>
>MetOp is scheduled for launch on 17 July 2006 at 22.28 Baikonur time (18.28 
>CEST) with the latest Soyuz ST Fregat launcher operated by Starsem.
>
>MetOp is the first polar orbiting satellite dedicated to operational 
>meteorology. The MetOp satellite services have been designed to provide 
>global weather data until 2020. MetOp, which will fly at a height of about 
>837 km, promises, with its 12 sophisticated instruments, to provide data of 
>unprecedented accuracy, thus improving global weather forecasting and 
>providing enhanced climate monitoring capabilities.
>
>For further information, please contact:
>
>ESA Media Relations Division
>Tel.: + 33(0)1.53.69.7155
>Fax: + 33(0)1.53.69.7690
>
>