MISSION OVERVIEW
European polar orbiting meteorological satellite
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Soyuz 2.1a/FregatMISSION
METOP A
MISSION TYPE
Earth Science
TARGET ORBIT
Polar Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
31/6LAUNCH SITE
Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of KazakhstanCOUNTRY
RUS
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 332f8b66-7dd2-4761-a4ac-d489f0c58fc0
Reported date: Oct 19, 2006 at 16:28 UTC
Last synced: 4 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
Loading weather…
CAN YOU SEE THIS LAUNCH?
Select a location to check if this launch is visible from where you are
VEHICLE — Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat →
MANUFACTURER
Progress Rocket Space Center
VARIANT
Fregat
FLIGHTS
3
SUCCESSES
2
SUCCESS RATE
66.7%
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat | METOP A launch?
The Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat | METOP A is scheduled for Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 4:28 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for METOP A?
The Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat | METOP A mission uses the Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat rocket, manufactured by Progress Rocket Space Center. The Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat has flown 3 times with a 66.7% success rate.
Where is the Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat | METOP A launching from?
The launch takes place from 31/6 at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan.
What orbit is METOP A going to?
The METOP A mission is targeting Polar Orbit.
Who is launching METOP A?
The Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat | METOP A is operated by Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS).
Can I watch the Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat | METOP A launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 29, 2026 00:04 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 00:04 UTC
Launch date set: Oct 19, 2006 at 16:28 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS)
Mar 29, 2026 00:04 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Jul 5, 2019 14:14 UTC
Soyuz rocket and Fregat upper stage deliver 33 satellites to three different orbitsSpaceflight Now
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 4 minutes ago
●Launch Library 24 minutes ago
Launch ID: 332f8b66-7dd2-4761-a4ac-d489f0c58fc0
●Spaceflight News API22 minutes ago
1 article matched
●Open-Meteo Weather2 days ago
Pad weather at 46, 63.56
BROWSE BY
Mission Profile
METOP A was a Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat mission operated by Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) that lifted off from 31/6, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan on October 19, 2006. The flight carried its payload on a earth science mission to Polar Orbit. The launch was a success.