MetOp-B

Mission

MetOp-B

Type: Earth Science

MetOp is a series of three polar orbiting meteorological satellites developed by the European Space Agency (ESA).

Location

31/6

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan

469 rockets have launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan.

Rocket

Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat-M

Length: 46.3 meters
Diameter: 2.95 meters
First Launch: October 19, 2010

The 2.1a version includes conversion from analog to digital flight control system and uprated engines on the booster and the first stage with improved injection systems. The new digital flight control and telemetry systems allow the rocket to launch from a fixed rather than angled launch platform and adjust its heading in flight. A digital control system also enables the launch of larger commercial satellites with wider and longer payload fairings such as the ST-type fairing. These fairings introduce too much aerodynamic instability for the old analog system to handle.

The Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat-M rocket has been launched a total of 15 times with 14 successful and 1 failed launches.

Agency

Starsem SA

Type: Commercial
Abbreviation: SSA

Country: FRA, RUS