Lars Prahm, Director-General of EUMETSAT, and Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chairman & CEO of Arianespace, have signed a launch Service & Solutions contract for the MSG-4 meteorological observation satellite. The signing occurred in Kourou, French Guiana, during an informal meeting of European space ministers. The MSG-4 satellite is scheduled for launch during the first half of 2013 by an Ariane 5 or Soyuz launcher from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport, in French Guiana. This is the tenth satellite for which the intergovernmental organization EUMETSAT has selected an Ariane launch vehicle. Arianespace has already launched the MSG-1 and MSG-2 satellites and will launch MSG-3 in 2010. Built by Thales Alenia Space in Cannes, MSG-4 will weigh approximately 2,000 kg at launch, offering 12 channels and capable of transmitting images every 15 minutes. MSG-4 will ensure the continuity of European meteorological services and will provide the data needed for weather forecasting and climate/environment monitoring in Europe and neighboring continents.
MSG-4 Satellite Signing By EUMETSAT + ARIANESPACE
Lars Prahm, Director-General of EUMETSAT, and Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chairman & CEO of Arianespace, have signed a launch Service & Solutions contract for the MSG-4 meteorological observation satellite. The signing occurred in Kourou, French Guiana, during an informal meeting of European space ministers. The MSG-4 satellite is scheduled for launch during the first half of 2013 by an Ariane 5 or Soyuz launcher from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport, in French Guiana. This is the tenth satellite for which the intergovernmental organization EUMETSAT has selected an Ariane launch vehicle. Arianespace has already launched the MSG-1 and MSG-2 satellites and will launch MSG-3 in 2010. Built by Thales Alenia Space in Cannes, MSG-4 will weigh approximately 2,000 kg at launch, offering 12 channels and capable of transmitting images every 15 minutes. MSG-4 will ensure the continuity of European meteorological services and will provide the data needed for weather forecasting and climate/environment monitoring in Europe and neighboring continents.
