Subscribe free to our newsletters via your
. Earth Science News .




WEATHER REPORT
Fueling begins with Europe's MSG-3 satellite payload for the next Ariane 5 launch
by Staff Writers
Kourou, French Guiana (ESA) Jun 20, 2012


MSG-3 will be the no. 3 spacecraft in Europe's second-generation MSG series - following the two previously orbited by Arianespace: MSG-1 in August 2002 (which was re-designated Meteosat-8 when it became operational); and MSG-2 in December 2005 (renamed Meteosat-9 upon reaching operational service).

Europe's MSG-3 meteorological satellite is being fueled at the Spaceport in French Guiana as preparations continue for launch on Arianespace's upcoming Ariane 5 mission - which is scheduled for liftoff on July 5, along with the EchoStar XVII telecommunications relay platform as its co-passenger.

During activity in the Spaceport's S5 payload preparation facility this week, MSG-3's tanks are being loaded with MMH (monomethylhydrazine) fuel and MON (mixed oxides of nitrogen) oxidizer for the satellite's bi-propellant propulsion system.

The loading of MON is performed first, conducted by specialized personnel in suits called the SCAPE (Self Contained Atmospheric Protective Ensemble). MSG-3's two oxidizer tanks are filled with 601.5 kg. of MON during a two-day period.

Arianespace's launch of MSG-3 on its next dual-payload Ariane 5 mission will ensure continuity of satellite-based weather observations from geostationary orbit at 36,000 km. above the Earth. The spacecraft is to be operated by EUMETSAT (the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites).

MSG-3 will be the no. 3 spacecraft in Europe's second-generation MSG series - following the two previously orbited by Arianespace: MSG-1 in August 2002 (which was re-designated Meteosat-8 when it became operational); and MSG-2 in December 2005 (renamed Meteosat-9 upon reaching operational service). Ariane 5's orbiting of MSG-3 is timed for a smooth transition from Meteosat-8, which has greatly exceeded its expected in-orbit lifetime.

The MSG satellite series results from a successful cooperation in which the European Space Agency develops these satellites according to EUMETSAT's requirements and procures recurrent units on the latter's behalf from Europe's space industry.

EUMETSAT has responsibility for defining the payload to meet user needs, procuring the launchers and ground segment, and operating the system. All MSG-series satellites are produced by a Thales Alenia Space-led European consortium.

.


Related Links
Arianespace
Weather News at TerraDaily.com






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle








WEATHER REPORT
May temperatures up in much of the world
Washington (UPI) Jun 19, 2012
Global temperatures in May were the second warmest for the month on record, the U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration reported. The second warmest since record keeping began in 1880, May 2012 was also the 36th consecutive May and 327th consecutive month with a global temperature above the 20th century average, NOAA said. Warmer-than-average monthly temperatur ... read more


WEATHER REPORT
Japan sorry for not using US radiation map

Nearly 15 million people displaced by disasters in 2011

Experts discuss better nuclear disaster communication

Afghan quake rescue operation declared over

WEATHER REPORT
Malaysia rare earths plant gets go-ahead

All the colors of a high-energy rainbow, in a tightly focused beam

GTRI researchers develop prototype automated pavement crack detection and sealing system

Ionic liquid improves speed and efficiency of hydrogen-producing catalyst

WEATHER REPORT
Arctic methane gas could spell trouble for Florida coastline

Rio+20: Maldives to create world's biggest marine reserve

Million year old groundwater in Maryland water supply

New research into flood impacts in the south of England

WEATHER REPORT
Spanish Scientist Participate in the Most Comprehensive Study Ever Done on Ice

Warm Climate - Cold Arctic?

Divide the Antarctic to protect native species, propose experts

Arctic getting greener

WEATHER REPORT
Single-track sustainability 'solutions' threaten people and planet

Hong Kong wine auction fetches $2.2 million

Rapidly cooling eggs can double shelf life, decrease risk of illness

Word Food Program chief in Rio for UN summit

WEATHER REPORT
Thousands evacuated as storm strikes Taiwan

UN says Afghan quakes killed 75

One dead as powerful typhoon cuts across Japan

Hurricane Carlotta kills 2 in Mexico

WEATHER REPORT
Rwanda's ex-army boss testifies of betrayal in murder bid

Lions on the loose in Kenyan capital's urban jungle

US expanding secret spy bases in Africa: report

UN trade body says Africa must embrace sustainable economy

WEATHER REPORT
The Rare Biosphere of the Human Body

Expanding waistlines threaten the planet: researchers

More people, more environmental stress

How infectious disease may have shaped human origins




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement