Weather observer ready for flight

[OXO]

Europe is set to launch its most sophisticated weather and climate satellite to date.

The Metop spacecraft will be lofted into its 850km-high polar orbit by a Soyuz-Fregat vehicle from Kazakhstan.

The platform should improve forecasting globally, and give scientists detailed data they can use to refine models describing how Earth's systems work.

Metop has eight instruments to gather a range of data about the planet's atmospheric and surface conditions.

The Soyuz is scheduled to lift off from Baikonur spaceport at 1628 GMT on Tuesday. Controllers will be hoping for a clean getaway having seen three previous launch attempts frustrated by technical difficulties.

'Step change'

Day and night, Metop will monitor temperature, humidity, wind velocity and ozone cover across the whole globe.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6056622.stm

[OXO]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6060210.stm

Didn't take off!

[The Warthog]

Oh, bother!