Europe’s Metop-C satellite to be launched by Arianespace

The European meteorological satellite organization EUMETSAT has selected Arianespace to launch its Metop-C spacecraft. The 4,250-kg. satellite will be placed into polar orbit by a Soyuz launch vehicle operated from the Spaceport in French Guiana. Metop-C will be fitted with a dozen instruments designed to take atmospheric measurements at different altitudes, and to map temperatures and wind fields on the ocean surface.