MetOp-A launch campaign begins at Baikonur Cosmodrome
April 22, 2006
The MetOp-A launch
campaign has started in Baikonur with the arrival to the cosmodrome
of the spacecraft and associated equipment onboard three cargo
planes on April 4, 18 and 21, 2006. The unloading operations
from airplane and loading onto train have been successfully
performed, and the spacecraft was transferred to the site 112.
The Starsem,
Eumetsat and ESA teams have been deployed in Baikonur, in order
to receive the spacecraft
and start the activities in accordance with the Launch Campaign
Master Schedule.
The Cosmodrome
Readiness Review (CRR) has confirmed the Baikonur facilities
readiness to support all planned activities and approved Starsem's
and Customer's organization within the framework of the launch
campaign, as well as the operational documentation.
The launch campaign
activities are progressing smoothly, with respect to the main
operations milestones.
This
upcoming mission will mark the 16th Soyuz flight performed under
Starsem's responsibility, and will launch the first European
system in polar orbit dedicated to meteorology and climate observation.
Photos: Courtesy
of ESA/EUMETSAT
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See the other mission updates:
> Launch postponement for the MetOp-A satellite (July 20, 2006)
> MetOp-A: launch postponed (July 19, 2006)
> MetOp-A satellite launch (July 19, 2006)
> Postponement of the MetOp-A launch (July 18, 2006)
> MetOp-A: launch postponed (July 17, 2006)
> Soyuz 2-1a moves to the launch pad with MetOp-A (July 14, 2006)
> MetOp-A is mated to its Soyuz 2-1a launcher (July 12, 2006)
> MetOp-A is integrated in its protective payload fairing (July 11, 2006)
> The improved Soyuz 2-1a launcher's new payload fairing is ready for flight (June 28, 2006)
> MetOp-A is readied for its July flight on the upgraded Soyuz 2-1a launcher (June 16, 2006)
For additional information on the MetOp-A mission, read the Launch Kit.
Watch the MetOp-A launch live.
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