MetOp-A will be launched in July 2006 on a Soyuz/ST Fregat from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan operated by Starsem.
A Soyuz rocket was first used in 1963 and has since launched more than 1,700 times. Its success rate of more than 97% makes it one of the most reliable launch vehicles in the world. Other ESA missions such as Mars Express and Venus Express were also launched on Soyuz.