The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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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 (descending node) at 09.30 local time each orbit, whilst the NOAA satellite occupies the afternoon orbit by passing over the Equator (ascending node) at 14.30 local time each orbit. Together, these two orbits maximise the coverage over which the observations are made.