Just found the following reference which suggests the Meteor M launch is
scheduled for sometime around August 20:


Roscosmos "Confident" SumbandilaSat Will Launch In August.

South Africa's _Creamer Media's Engineering News_
<http://mailview.custombriefings.com/mailview.aspx?m=2009071001aiaa&r=2978034-e2\
f3&l=01c-fd3&t=c>
(7/10, Campbell) reports, "It is reported from Russia that the country's
space agency, Roscosmos, is confident that there will be no further
delays in the launch of South Africa's Sumbandila satellite.
The...SumbandilaSat...is currently assigned a launch window around
August 20." The satellite is currently at the Baikonur cosmodrome
"awaiting the arrival of the primary payload for its launch rocket," the
Russian Meteor M meteorological satellite. SumbandilaSat was originally
supposed to launch in 2007 from a Russian Navy submarine, but the launch
arrangements "fell through, for reasons that have never been officially
divulged."


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Dr. T.S. Kelso
CelesTrak, http://celestrak.com
E-Mail: TS.Kelso@...



Douglas Deans wrote:
>
>
> WEATHER SATELLITES
> ================
> POLAR APT, DIGITAL and GEOSTATIONARY WEEKLY STATUS.
> ===============================================
>
> Author : Douglas S Deans. dsdeans@...
> <mailto:dsdeans%40tiscali.co.uk>
> Section 4 has updates.
>
> SECTION 1: POLAR APT/LRPT REPORT -- 13th July 2009
> ==========================================
>
> Satellite Frequency (MHz) Status Image Quality
>
> NOAA 15 137.500 (APT) on good
> NOAA 17 137.620 (APT) on good
> NOAA 18 137.9125 (APT) on good
> NOAA 19 137.100 (APT) on see Note 6
> Metop-A 137.100 (LRPT) off see Note 3
>
> CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
> None.
>
> THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
> None expected.
>
> NOTES.
>
> 1. Three of the older NOAA weather satellites which have been
> decommissioned and are tumbling freely are known to sporadically put out
> a carrier on 137.500 MHz. The satellites are TIROS-N, NOAA 6 and NOAA 9
> When the relevant footprints overlap this will cause interference to
> NOAA 15 when active on this frequency.
> Latest report below.
> 01/05/09 - Report of consistent interference on NOAA 15 signal when
> NOAA 9 footprint overlaps. My thanks to Steven Ross for this report.
>
> 2. NOAA 16's APT transmission system failed a few months after launch.
>
> 3. Metop-A's A-side LRPT transmitter has failed. Currently the redundant
> B-side transmitter is off until further notice (No further service
> expected due to interference with HIRS instrument).
>
> 4. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd May 2007.
>
> 5. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.
>
> 6. APT Channel B set to AVHRR Channel 4 and APT Channel A set to AVHRR
> Channel 2.
> Channel A now toggling between AVHRR Channel 2 and 3
> based on ground track day/night cycles.
>
> 7. Elements are available from :-
>
> http://www.space-track.org <http://www.space-track.org> and
> http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/
> <http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/>
>
> LAUNCHES.
> None due.
>
> SECTION 2: POLAR HRPT/AHRPT REPORT -- 13th July 2009
> ============================================
> CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
> None.
>
> THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
> None expected.
>
> Satellite Frequency Antenna Mode Image Quality
> (MHz)
> NOAA 15 1702.5 Omni HRPT Weak
> NOAA 16 1702.5 LHCP HRPT Mixed ( note 3)
> NOAA 17 1698.0 RHCP HRPT Good
> NOAA 18 1707.0 RHCP HRPT Good
> NOAA 19 1698.0 RHCP HRPT Good
> Feng Yun 1D 1700.4 RHCP CHRPT Good (note 6)
> Feng Yun 3A see note 5
> Metop-A 1701.3 RHCP AHRPT Good (note 4)
>
> NOTES.
>
> 1. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd June 2007.
>
> 2. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.
>
> 3. On Friday 19th September 2003 NOAA 16 developed AVHRR synch. problems
> similar to those on NOAA 14 (and previously NOAA 15).
> Since then reports have been mixed. Some periods of good data, some
> poor.
> UPDATE: Scan motor performance has recently improved.
>
> 4. On 25 May 2009, Eumetsat extended the coverage of the Advanced High
> Resolution Picture Transmission (AHRPT) system on Eumetsat's Metop-A
> polar-orbiting satellite. The improved service provides additional
> coverage over the Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean regions.
> For more information, please see:
> http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/Features/710601
> <http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/Features/710601>
>
> 5. Feng Yun 3A was declared operational on 12th January 2009. My thanks to
> Johnny Lin for drawing this to my attention.
> I am also grateful to Dave Wright of Dartcom for confirming that
> unfortunately (as usual) the Chinese have not strictly complied with the
> CGMS AHRPT Global Standard so reception using a standard Metop AHRPT
> receiver is not possible.
>
> 6. Thanks to all those who sent me reports confirming problems with FY 1D.
> In particular I would like to thank Nigel Atkinson of the UK Met. office
> for keeping me continually updated. The satellite is once again
> imaging.
>
> LAUNCHES.
> Meteor M N1 launch possibly 3rd Quarter 2009.
>
> SECTION 3: CONTINENTAL GEOSTATIONARY WORLD
> ===========================================
> WEATHER SATELLITE REPORT -- 13th July 2009
> ===================================
>
> CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
> None.
>
> THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
> None expected.
>
> Europe & Africa
> ------------------
> Satellite : Meteosat 8 (9.5°E)
> Data : HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
> Operational : Yes, RSS and Standby for Meteosat 9.
>
> Satellite : Meteosat 9 (0°) (note 7).
> Data : HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
> Operational : Yes.
>
> North America
> ----------------
> East.
>
> Satellite : GOES 12 (75.0° W)
> Data : GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
> LRIT (digital) -1691 MHz
> Operational : Yes
>
> West.
>
> Satellite : GOES 11 (135°W)
> Data : GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
> LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz
> Operational : Yes
>
> South America
> ----------------
> Satellite : GOES 10 (60°W)
> GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
> LRIT - No service.
>
> Asia (Russian Operated Satellite)
> --------------------------------------
>
> Satellite : GOMS N2 / ELECTRO-L
> Data : HRIT/LRIT.
> Operational : Launch date unknown.
>
> Asia (European Operated Satellites)
> ----------------------------------------
> Satellite : Meteosat 7 (57.5°E)
> HRI (digital) - 1691 MHz
> Wefax (analogue) occasionally for ranging purposes
> only.
> Operational : Yes.
>
> Satellite : Meteosat 6 (67.5°E) (Note 2).
>
> Asia (Indian Operated Satellite)
> -----------------------------------
> Satellite : Metsat
> Data : None available.
> Operational : Present....
>
> Satellite : Insat 3A (Note 3.)
> Data : VHRR (digital) 2599 MHz
> Operational : Yes.
>
> Asia & Oceania (Japanese Operated Satellites)
> -----------------------------------------------------
> Satellite : MTSAT-1R (140° E) (note 5.)
> Data : HRIT (digital) and LRIT(digital) on 1691 MHz.
> (Note 6.)
> Operational : Yes.
>
> Asia & Oceania (Chinese Operated Satellites)
> ----------------------------------------------------
> Satellite : Feng Yun 2C (105°E)
> Data : SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
> Operational : Yes.
>
> Satellite : Feng Yun 2D (86.5°E).
> Data : SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
> Operational : Yes. Parallel operation with 2C.
> (My thanks to Johnny Lin for the update).
>
> Satellite: Feng Yun 2E (123.3° E)
> Data : SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
> Operational : No. Commissioning.
>
> NOTES.
>
> 1. Meteosat 7 stopped its 0° service at 09.00 UTC on 14th June 2006.
>
> 2. Meteosat-6 arrived on station at 67.5 degrees East, on the 27 April
> 2007.
> After a short testing campaign, Meteosat-6 is now supporting the DCP
> mission over the Indian Ocean during eclipse periods.
>
> 3. Insat 3A is a combined data and meteorological satellite.
>
> 4. For those interested in EMWIN data, the following sats/frequencies
> apply.
>
> GOES 7 (175 W) 1690.725 MHz.
> GOES 11 (135 W) 1690.725 MHz
> GOES 12 (74.5 W) 1690.725 MHz
> For further info. there are many sources but the following is
> particularly informative:-
> http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/user-intro.htm
> <http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/user-intro.htm>
>
> 5. This satellite is also known as HIMAWARI 6.
>
> 6. HiRID and WEFAX was discontinued on 12th March 2008. It was replaced
> with HRIT/LRIT (after many months of dual dissemination).
>
> 7. Only LRIT (1691.0 MHz) is provided in direct readout.
> Full HRIT and LRIT service from Eumetcast.
>
> SECTION 4: EUMETCAST REPORT -- 13th July 2009
> ======================================
>
> Service Status Eurobird 9A Satellite (9° E)
>
> EARS On Transponder TP63: 11976.82 MHz
> Meteosat 8 (RSS) On Transponder TP63: 11976.82 MHz
> Meteosat 9 On Transponder TP63: 11976.82 MHz
> DWDSAT On Transponder TP63: 11976.82 MHz
> EPS(Metop-A) On Transponder TP63: 11976.82 MHz
> Jason On Transponder TP63: 11976.82 MHz
>
> CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
> Meteosat 9 Note added.
> Meteosat 8 (RSS) Note added.
> Metop and NOAA Global Data Service Note updated.
> SAF Products Note added.
>
> THIS WEEK AND FUTURE POSSIBLE EVENTS.
> METEOSAT 8 (RSS).
> 15 July 2009 09:00 UTC.
> Introduction of BUFR Edition 4.
> Following the WMO recommendation (Note 3 to the Specification of Octet
> Contents in the Manual on Codes) for the introduction of BUFR Edition 4,
> EUMETSAT plans to introduce the BUFR edition 4 for the encoding of the
> Meteosat-8 BUFR products.
> The BUFR Edition 4 parameter in the header shall be updated. The
> meteorological products themselves shall not be impacted by this change.
> For more information and example data sets see:
> http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/News/713759
> <http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/News/713759>
>
> METEOSAT 9.
> 15 July 2009 09:00 UTC.
> Introduction of BUFR Edition 4.
> Following the WMO recommendation (Note 3 to the Specification of Octet
> Contents in the Manual on Codes) for the introduction of BUFR Edition 4,
> EUMETSAT plans to introduce the BUFR edition 4 for the encoding of the
> Meteosat-9 BUFR products.
> The BUFR Edition 4 parameter in the header shall be updated. The
> meteorological products themselves shall not be impacted by this change.
> For more information and example data sets see:
> http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/News/713759
> <http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/News/713759>
>
> METOP AND NOAA GLOBAL DATA SERVICE.
> 13 July 2009 10:33 - 14 July 2009 10:13
> GOME Moon calibration.
>
> 19 July 2009 07:17
> ASCAT calibration, orbit 14258.
> A short interruption can be expected.
>
> SAF PRODUCTS.
> 13 July 2009.
> Availability of Ocean and Sea Ice SAF.
> We are pleased to announce that the ASCAT 12.5 Km orbit oriented
> product in
> BUFR Format, will be available via the Eumetsat Archive Facility.
>
> The following EPS GDS products are available on Eumetcast.
>
> EPS-2 PID 510 Metop AMSA operational
> EPS-3 PID 510 Metop ASCAT operational
> EPS-4 PID 510 Metop ATOVS operational
> EPS-5 PID 510 Metop GOME operational
> EPS-6 PID 510 Metop GRAS operational
> EPS-7 PID 510 Metop HIRS operational
> EPS-8 PID 510 Metop MHS operational
> EPS-10 PID 510 Metop AVHRR operational
> EPS-11 PID 510 Metop IASI operational
> EPS-13 PID 510 NOAA AMSA operational
> EPS-14 PID 510 NOAA ATOVS operational
> (EPS-14 Manufacturers only at present).
> EPS-15 PID 510 NOAA GAC operational
> EPS-16 PID 510 NOAA HIRS operational
> EPS-17 PID 510 NOAA MHS operational
> EPS-18 PID 510 EPS Service News operational
> EPS-19 PID 510 Test service operational
> (EPS-19 may sometimes be limited to Manufacturers)
>
> NOTES.
>
> 1. Reports for all sections should be sent to :-
> Douglas Deans dsdeans@... <mailto:dsdeans%40tiscali.co.uk>
>
> 2. For further information on the Eumetcast service see :-
> David Taylor's web site
> http://www.satsignal.eu <http://www.satsignal.eu> => Weather
> Satellites, Using EUMETCast
> or Satellite Tools, MSG Data
> Manager.
> or the Eumetsat web site
> www.eumetsat.int
>
> GENERAL
> =======
> For further weather satellite related information join GEO, Group for
> Earth
> Observation, and receive the informative quarterly magazine. See :-
> http://www.geo-web.org.uk/ <http://www.geo-web.org.uk/>
>
> To download element sets for all satellites visit the following sites :
> http://www.space-track.org <http://www.space-track.org> and
> http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/
> <http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/>
>
>


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