EUMETSAT’s third Metop satellite successfully launched

At 01:47 CET (21:47 Kourou time), EUMETSAT's polar-orbiting meteorological satellite Metop-C was successfully launched on a Soyuz ST-B rocket from the European Space Port in Kourou, French Guiana. Metop-C is the last in a series of three polar-orbiting satellites , developed in cooperation with ESA, which provides vital observations for weather forecasts up to 10 days ahead, as part of the EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS). Metop-C carries nine instruments measuring mainly vertical profiles of temperature and humidity, cloud properties, atmospheric composition, sea surface temperature, wind at the ocean surface, sea ice parameters, vegetation parameters and soil moisture. With the Metop-A and -B satellites still performing well in orbit beyond their design lifetime, the EUMETSAT EPS system is already providing the source of data that has the highest positive impact on global numerical weather prediction, in terms of reducing forecast errors one day ahead. In addition, EPS supports operational oceanography, marine meteorology, air quality forecasting and climate monitoring. Forming a three-satellite constellation with Metop-A and-B until Metop-A is re-orbited in 2022, Metop-C will further improve weather forecasts up to 10 days ahead for the benefit of European citizens and our economy. "Our EPS system.has brought meteorological observation from the polar orbit to a new standard" Alain Ratier, Eumetsat's Director General, said, "EUMETSAT is grateful to Arianespace for another successful launch, after those of Metop-A and Metop-B.