Russia successfully launched Metop-B meteorological satellite

At about 3:00 am September 18 (Vietnam time), Russia successfully launched its Metop-B meteorological satellite into orbit.

Metop-B satellite

The Russian Federal Space Agency Roscosmos said the Metop-B satellite, weighing more than 4 tons, was launched by Soyuz boosters from Russia's Baikonur space airport in Central Kazakhstan.

According to manufacturers, Metop-B satellites can be operated for 5-6 years to serve the study, weather forecast, monitoring of planetary climate changes.

This is the second of three Metop meteorological satellites that the European Space Agency orders Astrium - the leading company in the European space industry.

Metop-A first satellite was launched into orbit in 2006. Metop-C third satellite is expected to be launched into orbit in 2017.