Swiss technology is traveling to space with new MetOp weather satellite
Kourou/Zurich/Aigle - The Ariane-6 launch vehicle was launched into space in mid-August from the Guiana Space Centre, near Kourou. It is carrying the new MetOp weather satellite on board. Beyond Gravity from Zurich and APCO Technologies from Aigle are involved in the mission.
(CONNECT) On 13 August at 2:37am (Central European Time), a launch vehicle from the European Space Agency (ESA) took off into space from the Guiana Space Centre, the agency announced in a statement. On board the Ariane-6 is a 4.4-tonne satellite from the second MetOp generation. It will monitor weather and climate from polar orbit.
Swiss technology contributed to the project: at the heart of MetOp is a six-metre-high structure that houses all of the satellite's instruments and necessary systems. This structure and several other components for both the satellite and the launch vehicle were manufactured by the Zurich-based space company Beyond Gravity. The MetOp structure, which weighs around one tonne, is made of carbon fibre, aluminium as well as titanium for critical connections. Beyond Gravity manufactured the carbon fibre composite rocket nose cone, known as the payload fairing, for the Ariane-6.
APCO Technologies produced important components of the launch vehicle. Among other things, the space company from Aigle in the Swiss canton of Vaud manufactured the booster fasteners and booster caps. During the launch of the Ariane-6, these mountings must withstand a thrust of 270 tonnes. ce/hs
