[SatNews] The European meteorological satellite organization EUMETSAT has selected Arianespace to launch its new satellite, Metop-C.

Metop-C will be launched into polar orbit during the last quarter of 2016 by a Soyuz launch vehicle from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana. The Metop program – Meteorological Operational Polar Satellite – is a joint effort of EUMETSAT, the European Space Agency (ESA), the French Space Agency (CNES) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It comprises three satellites that are designed to provide a continuous stream of constantly calibrated meteorological data.

Metop-C is the third in the series. Metop-A was launched in October 2006 by Starsem, a subsidiary of Arianespace, using a Soyuz rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Metop-B will also be launched by Starsem, in the second quarter of 2012. Built by Astrium, the Metop-C satellite will weigh 4,250 kg at launch. It will be fitted with a dozen instruments designed to take atmospheric measurements (pressure, humidity, temperature, ozone concentration, etc.) at different altitudes, and to map temperatures and wind fields on the ocean surface. Metop-C is the 13th satellite for which EUMETSAT has chosen an Arianespace launch.