Following the safe arrival of the MetOp-B weather satellite in Kazakhstan, the sophisticated craft is now being carefully assembled and tested before launch on 23 May. MetOp-B will provide essential data for weather forecasting and climate monitoring.

Developed as a joint undertaking between ESA and Eumetsat, the MetOp programme comprises a series of three identical satellites for continuous observations until 2020.

The first in the series, MetOp-A, was launched in 2006 and marked a new era in operational meteorology – it was Europe’s first weather satellite to orbit Earth from pole to pole.

It is now time to launch the second in the series: MetOp-B.

For further information on MetOp B, please visit: www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMQLNONZZG_index_0.html

Credits: ESA

Tags:   ESA European Space Agency European Agency MetOp MSG-3 Baikonur

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The Soyuz fairing encapsulating MetOp-B.

For more information, please click here.

Credits: ESA

Tags:   ESA European Space Agency European Space Agency MetOp-B Soyuz Fregat Fairing

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Last view of MetOp-B as it is eased into the rocket fairing for launch on 17 September 2012.

For more information, please click here.

Credits: ESA

Tags:   ESA European Space Agency European Space Agency MetOp-B Soyuz Fregat Fairing

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MetOp-B ready to be encapsulated in the Soyuz rocket fairing ahead of its scheduled launch on 17 September 2012.

For more information, please click here.

Credits: ESA

Tags:   ESA European Space Agency European Space Agency MetOp-B Soyuz Fregat Fairing

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The Metop-B satellite was successfully encapsulated in the fairing on Saturday 8 September.

To read more about the Metop-B satellite launch, please click here for Eumetsat coverage or visit ESA's MetOp minisite.

Copyright: 2012 EUMETSAT

Tags:   ESA Eumetsat European Space Agency European Space Agency MetOp-B MetOp satellite encapsulation Soyuz Baikonur Baikonur Cosmodrome

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