MetOp: A new-generation meteorological satellite for Europe

On 17 July 2006 the first of a new tribe of European weather satellites will be launched from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, on a Soyuz launcher. MetOp is Europe's contribution to a collaborative project with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Through this venture, MetOp has been designed to work in conjunction with the NOAA satellite system whereby the MetOp and the US satellite occupy complementary obits. This global observing system is able to provide invaluable meteorological data to improve weather forecasting and in the longer- term monitor climate change.ESApod video programme