The European Space Agency's MetOp-SG-B1 weather satellite arrived at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana following a voyage aboard the Canopée transport vessel. Engineers have moved the spacecraft to a cleanroom to begin final checks ahead of its upcoming launch.
Journey and Arrival
The MetOp-SG-B1 satellite departed Bordeaux, France, on 6 October aboard the sail-assisted transport vessel Canopée, arriving in Kourou on 16 October. The vessel's sail system helps reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions during transport.
Upon arrival at Europe's Spaceport, the satellite remained in its transport container in storage. The container maintained a dry environment with plenty of nitrogen and a steady 22°C to keep all components clean.
Launch Campaign and Orbit Plans
ESA's Enrico Corpaccioli stated that removing the satellite from its protective container marks an exciting moment for the team as they begin to wake it up. Upcoming milestones include switching on the satellite, final checks, fuelling, and encapsulation within an Ariane 6 launcher fairing ahead of a launch planned towards the end of the year.
Once in orbit, MetOp-SG-B1 will join its sibling MetOp-SG-A1, which was launched in August 2025. The satellites carry complementary suites of instruments to provide high-resolution measurements of atmospheric and environmental variables for weather forecasting and climate research.
Key facts and where they come from
- The MetOp-SG-B1 satellite departed Bordeaux on 6 October and arrived in Kourou on 16 October aboard the Canopée vessel.
departed Bordeaux, France, aboard the sail-assisted transport vessel Canopée on 6 October, arriving in Kourou on 16 October.
- The satellite has been transferred to a cleanroom and removed from its transport container.
the MetOp Second Generation-B1 satellite has been transferred to a cleanroom and removed from its transport container.
- MetOp-SG-B1 is scheduled to launch toward the end of the year on an Ariane 6 rocket.
ahead of its launch, planned towards the end of the year.
- In orbit, MetOp-SG-B1 will join its sibling MetOp-SG-A1, which launched in August 2025.
Once in orbit around Earth, MetOp-SG-B1 will join its sibling MetOp-SG-A1, launched in August 2025.
