images

Metop and NOAA satellites orbits.

by

ESA/Novapix

Reference

e-sot07-90001

Date

2006-11-16

The European MetOp satellite and the American NOAA satellite both fly in Sun-synchronous, low-Earth, polar orbits. However, MetOp is responsible for the morning orbit by passing over the Equator at 09.30 local time each orbit, while the NOAA satellite occupies the afternoon orbit by passing over the Equator at 14.30 local time each orbit. Together, these two orbits maximise the coverage over which the observations are made.