METOP-B (38771)

COSPAR: 2012-049A | Alt Name: METOP B

Image
METOP-B Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

September 17, 2012

Launch Pad

LC31

Launch Vehicle

Soyuz-2-1A

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

38771

International Designator

2012-049A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:41:31 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

98.65°

Right Ascension

236.31°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

320.46°

Period

101.31 min

Mean Motion

14.21 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

METOP-B

Alternative Name

METOP B

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

EUMET

Country

EUMETSAT

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 38771U 12049A   26185.15384021  .00000113  00000-0  71615-4 0  9997
2 38771  98.6495 236.3139 0001242 320.4603  39.6484 14.21444055715673

Source: Celestrak

Summary
METOP-B is a meteorology satellite identified by NORAD_CAT_ID 38771 and OBJECT_ID 2012-049A. It was launched on September 17, 2012, from the TYMSC launch site using Soyuz-2-1A as its launch vehicle. The satellite has dimensions of 6.3 meters in length, a diameter of 3.4 meters, and spans 17.6 meters with its equipment deployed. METOP-B has a dry mass of 3,769 kg and launched at a total mass of 4,086 kg. It is equipped with an array of instruments including A/DCS, AMSU, ASCAT, AVHRR/3, GOME-2, GRAS, HIRS/4, IASI, MHS, SARP/3, SARR, and SEM-2 for meteorological observations. The satellite's power system consists of a deployable solar array and batteries. It is owned by EUMET and was manufactured by EADSB with the mission to conduct meteorology studies. METOP-B has an expected lifetime of 5 years.
Physical Characteristics

Length

6.3

Diameter

3.4

Span

17.6

Dry Mass

3769

Launch Mass

4086

Shape

Box + panel

Radar Cross Section

13.648

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

METOP B

Purpose

Meteorology

Mission

Meteorology

Manufacturer

EADSB

Life Expectancy

5 years

Bus

Metop

Configuration

PPF/SPOT Mk.3

Motor

AOCS

Equipment

A/DCS, AMSU, ASCAT, AVHRR/3, GOME-2, GRAS, HIRS/4, IASI, MHS, SARP/3, SARR, SEM-2

Power System

Deployable solar array, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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