Author Topic: MetOp-C - Soyuz-ST-B/Fregat-M (VS19) - November 07, 2018  (Read 36344 times)

Offline jacqmans

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MetOp-C payload module
 
The payload module of MetOp-C, Europe’s latest weather satellite, is in place at ESA’s technical centre in the Netherlands for rigorous testing in space-like conditions.
 
MetOp is a set of three polar-orbiting satellites whose temperature and humidity observations from a relatively close 800 km-altitude orbit have sharpened the accuracy of weather forecasting.
 
Procured by ESA for Eumetsat, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, MetOp-A was launched in 2006 and MetOp-B in 2012, with MetOp-C due to follow next year.
 
MetOp-C’s sensor module was transported in the first week of January from Airbus Defence and Space in Friedrichshafen, Germany to ESA’s Test Centre in Noordwijk in the Netherlands, which is equipped to simulate every aspect of the space environment.
 
The 2.1 tonne module carries a suite of meteorology and climatology instruments, variously procured by ESA or sourced from Eumetsat, France’s CNES space agency and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
 
“The operation of the payload module and its instruments needs to be verified in space-like vacuum conditions,” explains Jacques Mauduit of European Test Services, the company operating the centre for ESA.
 
“This ‘thermal vacuum’ testing will take place in the Large Space Simulator this spring, with cryogenically cooled ‘blackbodies’ fitted in front of individual instrument openings or radiators to control their temperatures to within 100–30ºC of absolute zero.”
 
The set-up for this complex test was verified last autumn.
 
Once testing is complete, MetOp-C’s payload module will travel to the Airbus Defence and Space facility in Toulouse, France, to be integrated with its service module – the segment of the satellite providing attitude and orbit control, electrical power and communications, and hosting the main computer.
 
The launch of MetOp-C by Soyuz from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana is scheduled for October 2018.
 
Credit: ESA/ETS – A Kuebler
« Last Edit: 11/07/2018 03:00 pm by input~2 »
Jacques :-)

Offline bolun

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Re: ESA - MetOp-C updates
« Reply #1 on: 02/23/2017 08:54 am »
MetOp inside LSS

The payload module of MetOp-C, Europe’s latest weather satellite, being lowered into Europe’s largest vacuum chamber, the 10 m-diameter Large Space Simulator, on 20 February 2017.

The LSS is part of ESA’s Test Centre in the Netherlands, the largest facility of its kind in Europe, providing a complete suite of equipment for all aspects of satellite testing under a single roof.

MetOp-C’s instruments must be tested in space-like vacuum conditions. High-performance pumps will remove all air within the chamber to create an orbital-quality vacuum. Meanwhile, liquid nitrogen will circulate through the black walls to mimic the cold of sunless space.

http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2017/02/MetOp_inside_LSS

Image credit:  ESA–G. Porter,   CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: ESA - MetOp-C updates
« Reply #2 on: 07/07/2017 09:39 am »
Quote
Paul Counet‏ @PaulCounet 48m48 minutes ago

After successful tests in @ESA ESTEC - @eumetsat #Metop-C satellite moved to Toulouse last week. Preparing for launch in October '18

https://twitter.com/PaulCounet/status/883246658494103552

Offline Rik ISS-fan

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Re: ESA - MetOp-C updates
« Reply #3 on: 08/19/2017 06:41 am »

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: ESA - MetOp-C updates
« Reply #4 on: 04/17/2018 10:55 am »
Quote
Today @eumetsat and its partners @ESA_EO, @CNES and @NOAASatellites are in @AirbusDefence to see #metop-C in clean room. Next @eumetsat launch planned on September 20.

https://twitter.com/paulcounet/status/986188020243189760

Offline Lewis007

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Re: ESA - MetOp-C updates
« Reply #5 on: 07/03/2018 07:23 am »
The Metop-C satellite arrived in French Gyuana on June 26. CNES posted some pics on its facebook page.

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Re: ESA - MetOp-C updates
« Reply #6 on: 07/03/2018 03:44 pm »
Launch date:
MetOp-C - October 6
<snip>
https://ria.ru/science/20180626/1523388037.html

Then:
Metop-C - second half of September
<snip>
https://ria.ru/space/20180702/1523789615.html

And source: SFN Launch Schedule https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ , July 3 update

Launch date/time: November 7, approximately 00:47 UTC = November 6, 21:47 GFT (Kourou)
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Offline bolun

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Re: ESA - MetOp-C updates
« Reply #7 on: 07/10/2018 11:45 am »
https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/MetOp/MetOp-C_launch_campaign_kicks_off

MetOp-C launch campaign kicks off

Quote
The MetOp-C launch campaign has kicked off with the first of three Antonovs landing at Cayenne Airport, French Guiana on 20 June.

The cargo aircraft transported 11 containers of equipment for ground support and IT-infrastructure, followed by the second, carrying the two main modules of the spacecraft a few days later. The third and final Antonov brought the solar array.

This is all in preparation for the launch of the third polar-orbiting satellite in the Meteorological Operational satellite programme. This programme was procured by ESA for Eumetsat, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites.

The first two satellites were launched in 2006 and 2012. The launch of MetOp-C later this year will continue the success story of the most important set of sensors for weather prediction in space today.

Image credits: ESA

Offline bolun

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Re: ESA - MetOp-C updates
« Reply #8 on: 08/04/2018 11:10 am »
http://blogs.esa.int/eolaunches/2018/08/03/metop-c-satellite-is-whole/

Quote
Following the arrival of the MetOp-C at Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, in the first week of July, the team has been busy testing and preparing the satellite for launch.

While activities are currently running on schedule, they will put on hold in mid-August and resume in mid-September because the launch date has been moved from 20 September to 6 November.

Quote
MetOp-C is the third polar-orbiting satellite in the Meteorological Operational satellite programme. This programme was procured by ESA for Eumetsat, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites.

The series of MetOp satellites carry a host of sensitive instruments to measure a wide range of variables such as temperature and humidity, wind speed and direction over oceans, ozone and other atmospheric gases. The first two satellites were launched in 2006 and 2012.

The launch of MetOp-C in November will continue the success story of the most important set of sensors for weather prediction in space today.

Image credit: EUMETSAT

Offline jacqmans

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Re: MetOp-C - Soyuz-ST-B/Fregat-M (VS19) - November 07, 2018
« Reply #9 on: 10/04/2018 06:45 am »
MetOp-C landing in French Guiana

The MetOp-C launch campaign has kicked off with the first of three Antonovs landing at Cayenne Airport, French Guiana on 20 June.

 
Credits: ESA
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: MetOp-C - Soyuz-ST-B/Fregat-M (VS19) - November 07, 2018
« Reply #10 on: 10/04/2018 06:46 am »
Moving MetOp-C for fuelling

With the launch of MetOp-C set for 7 November, engineers have been carefully preparing the satellite to be fuelled. This has also involved moving the satellite from the ‘Payload Processing’ building to the ‘Hazardous Processing’ building where it will be fuelled.

Credits: ESA
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: MetOp-C - Soyuz-ST-B/Fregat-M (VS19) - November 07, 2018
« Reply #11 on: 10/04/2018 06:47 am »
Working on the solar array

The 40 sq m array, which weighs in at over 250 kg, will be gently deployed when MetOp-C is in orbit.

Credits: Airbus
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: MetOp-C - Soyuz-ST-B/Fregat-M (VS19) - November 07, 2018
« Reply #12 on: 10/04/2018 06:47 am »
Checking connections

With the alignment done and array attached, the MetOp-C is complete and the team focuses on checking all the electrical connections.

Credits: ESA
Jacques :-)

Offline starbase

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Re: MetOp-C - Soyuz-ST-B/Fregat-M (VS19) - November 07, 2018
« Reply #13 on: 10/05/2018 12:17 pm »
Will this not be a Fregat-MT?
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Offline russianhalo117

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Re: MetOp-C - Soyuz-ST-B/Fregat-M (VS19) - November 07, 2018
« Reply #14 on: 10/05/2018 07:37 pm »
Will this not be a Fregat-MT?
No because the predecessor MetOp's A and B used original standard Fregat's. Fregat-M is the successor to the original Fregat.

Offline starbase

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Re: MetOp-C - Soyuz-ST-B/Fregat-M (VS19) - November 07, 2018
« Reply #15 on: 10/08/2018 02:13 pm »
Interesting. So if I'm informed correctly this will be the first Soyuz ST-B using a Fregat-M upper stage.
« Last Edit: 10/08/2018 02:14 pm by starbase »
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Online ZachS09

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Re: MetOp-C - Soyuz-ST-B/Fregat-M (VS19) - November 07, 2018
« Reply #16 on: 10/08/2018 03:07 pm »
Interesting. So if I'm informed correctly this will be the first Soyuz ST-B using a Fregat-M upper stage.

Or it could be the first Soyuz-STB with a standard Fregat.
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Offline russianhalo117

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Re: MetOp-C - Soyuz-ST-B/Fregat-M (VS19) - November 07, 2018
« Reply #17 on: 10/08/2018 03:48 pm »
Interesting. So if I'm informed correctly this will be the first Soyuz ST-B using a Fregat-M upper stage.

Or it could be the first Soyuz-STB with a standard Fregat.
Starsem performed test launches of the STA and STB versions out of Baikonur before being flown from CSG. Those flights used the standard fregat. Fregat-MT made its first flight out of CSG.

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Offline lucas071200

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Re: MetOp-C - Soyuz-ST-B/Fregat-M (VS19) - November 07, 2018
« Reply #19 on: 10/11/2018 12:04 pm »
Any impacts on this launch because of the MS-10  Failure?

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