Metop-B Operational
Metop-B takes over prime operational service
Metop-B has replaced Metop-A as EUMETSAT’s prime operational low earth orbit weather satellite.
Darmstadt, 24 April - Today, Metop-B replaced Metop-A as EUMETSAT’s prime operational polar-orbiting satellite following the end of its commissioning period. See Press Release for details.
Last Updated: Wednesday, 24 April, 2013 14:47
Timeline
Key milestones for the post-launch commissioning phase, including details on when instruments are switched on and tested, and when data starts to become available for users
| Commissioning milestones | ||
|---|---|---|
| Title | Activity | Date/Status |
| Handover | Handover of Metop-B to EUMETSAT | Completed 20 September |
| SIOV Start | Satellite In-Orbit Verification (SIOV) begins | Started |
| Final orbit phasing achieved | Completed | |
| Payload verification | Solid State Recorder | Completed |
| HRPT switch on HRPT verification |
Completed Completed |
|
| Search & Rescue on | Completed | |
| ADCS Receiver and Transmitter on | Completed | |
| AVHRR & HIRS doors opening | Completed | |
| IASI mechanisms release | Completed | |
| GOME Coolers Fully Activated | Completed | |
| IASI, HIRS & AVHRR outgassing | Completed | |
| IASI First Data (Without on-board processing) | Completed | |
| IASI First Data (With on-board processing) | Completed | |
| GOME Sun Calibrations Started | Completed | |
| SARR/SARP Active (SARR A-side) | Completed | |
| Direct Readout Available | Service continuously available according to the schedule below | |
| AVHRR visible channel | Available | |
| GOME | Available | |
| First MMAM | Available | |
| AMSU A1& A2 | Available | |
| ASCAT | Available | |
| MHS | Available | |
| GRAS | Available | |
| ADCS | Available | |
| SEM | Available | |
| HIRS/4 | Available | |
| AVHRR/3 IR | Available | |
| IASI | Available | |
| SIOV ends | End of Satellite In-Orbit Verification (SIOV) phase | Completed |
| Global Data to Cal/Val Partners | AMSU-A1, A2 | Available |
| AVHRR/3 VIS | Available | |
| GRAS | Available | |
| MHS | Available | |
| HIRS/4 | Available | |
| ASCAT | Available | |
| AVHRR/3 IR | Available | |
| GOME-2 | Available | |
| IASI | Available | |
| Global Data to all users | Pre-operational data progressively made available per product processing facility | L+ 2–7 months |
| AMSU-A1, A2 | Available | |
| AVHRR/3 | Available | |
| GRAS | Available | |
| MHS | Available | |
| HIRS/4 | Available | |
| ASCAT | Available | |
| GOME-2 | ||
| IASI | ||
| Regional Data to all users | EARS-AVHRR | L+ 19 weeks |
| EARS-ATOVS | L+ 19 weeks | |
| EARS-ASCAT | L+ 23 weeks | |
| EARS-IASI | L+ 25 weeks | |
| Satellite Operational | Metop-B becomes prime satellite | Completed 24 April |
