04/11/2026
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Following a short period in storage after arriving at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, the MetOp Second Generation-B1 satellite has been transferred to a cleanroom and removed from its transport container. The team is now preparing to reactivate this ‘sleeping beauty, and begin the final checks and preparations ahead of its launch, planned towards the end of the year.
After more than 12 years of development, MetOp-SG-B1 departed Bordeaux, France, aboard the sail-assisted transport vessel Canopée on 6 October, arriving in Kourou on 16 October. The vessel’s innovative sail system helps reduce fuel consumption and associated carbon dioxide emissions during transport.
Upon arrival at Europe’s Spaceport, MetOp-SG-B1 remained in its transport container and was placed in storage until it was time to start preparing it for liftoff on an Ariane 6 rocket. Its container maintained the perfect environment for a sleeping satellite – dry, plenty of nitrogen to keep all satellite’s components clean and a steady 22°C.
ESA’s Enrico Corpaccioli said, “Removing the satellite from its protective container and starting to wake it up is an exciting moment for the team. To the eyes of all the engineers that have been involved in its development, it is a beautiful satellite and everyone is looking forward to switching on this sleeping beauty and taking the next steps towards launch.”
Once in orbit around Earth, MetOp-SG-B1 will join its sibling MetOp-SG-A1, launched in August 2025. The satellites carry complementary suites of instruments that provide high-resolution measurements of atmospheric and environmental variables, including temperature, precipitation, clouds and winds, supporting weather forecasting and climate research.
To ensure that this stream of meteorological data flows for more than 20 years, the MetOp-SG mission as a whole comprises three successive pairs of satellites.
Over the coming weeks, the launch campaign will progress through a series of key milestones, including switching on the satellite, final checks and fuelling. MetOp-SG-B1 will then be encapsulated within the fairing of its Ariane 6 launcher before being transported to the launch pad for liftoff, planned towards the end of the year.