Europe’s Ariane 6 Rocket Delivers Weather Satellite to Orbit in Third Test Flight

Europe’s newest heavy-lift rocket, the Ariane 6, successfully launched for the third time Saturday evening (Aug. 12), carrying a sophisticated weather and climate observation satellite into orbit. The launch occurred at 8:37 p.m. EDT (9:37 p.m. local time in Kourou; 0037 GMT on Aug. 13) from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana.

The Ariane 6 program represents a significant advancement for European space capabilities, serving as the successor to the retired Ariane 5. Operated by Arianespace on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA), the rocket first flew in July 2023. A subsequent test flight in March marked its inaugural commercial mission, successfully placing a French reconnaissance satellite into Earth orbit.

The latest launch transported Metop-SGA1, an 8,900-pound (4,040-kilogram) meteorological satellite managed by EUMETSAT, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites. Approximately 64 minutes after liftoff, Arianespace confirmed that Metop-SGA1 had been deployed into a polar orbit roughly 500 miles (800 kilometers) above Earth.

Following an initial systems check, the satellite is scheduled to activate its six onboard instruments and begin collecting extensive weather and climate data. EUMETSAT anticipates the satellite will remain operational for at least 7.5 years, providing enhanced high-resolution observations of parameters including temperature, precipitation patterns, cloud formations, wind speeds, sea ice coverage, atmospheric aerosols, soil moisture levels, volcanic dust concentrations, and pollution indicators.

Metop-SGA1 was constructed by Airbus Defence and Space and represents the first in a planned series of six satellites comprising the Metop Second Generation constellation. This launch signifies Arianespace’s 355th mission to date; the company also operates the smaller Vega C rocket. This endeavor marks the 15th spacecraft launched for EUMETSAT by Arianespace and its 21st meteorological satellite overall.