Find below an annotated timeline of the most important steps in today’s MetOp-B launch via Soyuz from Baikonur. Note all times are forecast and subject to change.

Ground stations in use include: Malindi (MAL), Kerguelen (KER), Esrange (ESR), Alaska (ASK) and Hawaii (HWI).

Time
CEST/Baikonur		 MET
Mission Elapsed Time		 Event
02:28/06:28 L0 – 16:00:00 Launch timeline begins
14:28/18:28 L0 – 04:00:00 State Commission meeting authorising launcher fuelling
14:58/18:58 L0 – 03:30:00 Start of launcher fuelling
16:58/20:58 L0 – 01:30:00 Start of launcher 3-stage automatic sequence
17:15/21:15 L0 – 01:13:00 Start of media event at EUMETSAT HQ
17:43/21:43 L0 – 00:45:00 Service tower removal
18:27/22:27 L0 – 00:00:40 Release of umbilical mast
18:27/22:27 L0 – 00:00:20 Launch command
18:27/22:27 L0 – 00:00:17 Engine ignition
18:28/22:28 L0 – 00:00:00 Lift off
Trajectory Outside Visual Distance
18:30/22:30 L0 + 00:01:58 First stage (booster) separation
18:33/22:33 L0 + 00:04:48 Second stage separation
18:33/22:33 L0 + 00:04:49 Fairing jettisoning
18:37/22:37 L0 + 00:08.49 Nose Module separation
18:38/22:38 L0 + 00:09:49 Fregat 1st burn start
Metop separation from Fregat upper stage
19:38/23:38 L0 + 01:09:06 Orbit injection
19:51/23:51 L0+ 01:22:00 Solar Array release & primary deployment start (MAL)
20:04/00:04 L0+ 01:36:00 Separation (via KER)
20:00/00:00 (+1) L0 + 01:41 Solar Array secondary deployment (ESR)
20:11/00:11 (+1) L0 + 01:52 End of LEOP on-board automatic sequence (ESR)
20:12/00:12 (+1) L0 + 01:53 Platform searching for earth direction (Course –> FAM1) (ALS)
20:40/00:40 (+1) L0 + 02:21 (Approx.) Solar Array rotation starts (Hawaii / KER)