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Starsem SA • Soyuz 2.1a Fregat-M • 31/6 (KZ-43)
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MetOp is a series of three polar orbiting meteorological satellites developed by the European Space Agency (ESA).
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MetOp is a series of three polar orbiting meteorological satellites developed by the European Space Agency (ESA).
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MetOp is a series of three polar orbiting meteorological satellites developed by the European Space Agency (ESA).
The 2.1a version includes conversion from analog to digital flight control system and uprated engines on the booster and the first stage with improved injection systems. The new digital flight control and telemetry systems allow the rocket to launch from a fixed rather than angled launch platform and adjust its heading in flight. A digital control system also enables the launch of larger commercial satellites with wider and longer payload fairings such as the ST-type fairing. These fairings introduce too much aerodynamic instability for the old analog system to handle.
Starsem is a French-Russian company that was created in 1996 to commercialise the Soyuz launcher internationally.
997a8f2d6064981257f045765f57f1d4a07d6403fd7fdd889d8afeee1cead207Provider, rocket, pad, and booster history tied to this launch.