NSSDCA ID: MOP3
The Meteosat Operational Programme (MOP-3) satellite will be the third operational geostationary Meteosat satellite following 3 pre-operational Meteosat satellites (Meteosat-1,-2,-3/P2). The primary goals of the MOP satellites are (1) to provide visible and IR day/night cloudcover data and radiances and (2) to disseminate image data to users through the Data Collection Platform (DCP). MOP-3 (or Meteosat 6) is a 2.1 m diameter, 3.195 m high stepped cylindrical body with solar cells on six main body panels. The spacecraft is spin-stabilized at 100 rpm around the main axis aligned almost parallel to the Earth's axis with spin regulated by two small hydrazine thrusters. Spin access control and east-west stationkeeping are provided by two pairs of large thrusters. Attitude information is provided by Earth horizon and Sun-lit sensors. A radiating dipole antenna will direct S-band (333 kbs) transmission of DCP image data to the Data Acquisition, Telemetry, and Tracking Station at Odenwald, Germany for relay to the Meteosat Ground Computer System and Meteosat Operations Control center at ESA's European Space Operations Center (ESOC). The MOP-3 will carry a single imaging radiometer in visible/infrared wavelengths in addition to the Data Collection Platform.
Launch Date: 1993-01-01
Launch Vehicle:
Launch Site: ,
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
---|---|---|---|
Mr. J. Aasted | Project Manager | ESA-European Space Research and Technology Centre |