MetOp and NOAA orbits

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.