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Metop-B readied for launch 17 September / 16:9 SD / 14-09-2012
14 September 2012
European Space Agency (ESA)
A Soyuz 2.1 rocket carrying the Metop-B satellite will be rolled out to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Friday 14 September. All systems are green for a night launch on Monday 17 September at 1628GMT/1828CEST/22:28 Baikonur time.
Metop-B’s role is to ensure continuity of observations from polar orbit which are vital to Numerical Weather Prediction – the basis of modern weather forecasting - as well as climate and environmental monitoring. This service is currently provided by the first satellite in the series, Metop-A (launched 19 October 2006), which has exceeded its nominal lifetime as the first member of the European Polar System. The EPS programme is Europe’s contribution to the Initial Joint Polar System (IJPS), with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
ESA is responsible for the development of the three Metop satellites, with major instruments provided by CNES and NOAA. ESA will also carry out operations for the Launch and Early Orbit Phase to place the satellites in polar orbit before handing them over to EUMETSAT for exploitation. EUMETSAT develops all ground systems required to deliver products and services to users and to respond to their evolving needs - and operates the full system for the benefit of users.
More background information can be found on http://www.esa.int/esaEO/SEM9NO2VQUD_index_0_m.html.
Transmission details:
EUTELSAT 10A (EX W2A)@ 10 deg East
TXP B5 Channel E (9MHZ)
D/link Fr: 11162.83 MHz POL X/horizontal
SR: 6.0Ms/s FEC 3/4
Sig: PAL SD MPEG2 420 16:9
Modulation: DVBS/QPSK
Mono audio: Eng - PIDs open